PENSIONER Maurice Gosling claims council chiefs are "unpatriotic" for not flying a Union Flag for the Queen's jubilee.

Mr Gosling, 70, of Tilleycoombe Road, Portland, has hit out at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council for not erecting a flagpole at the council offices on the island.

Mr Gosling, who has lived on Portland with his wife Betty, 70, for more than 25 years, said he knew of a number of people who were disappointed that the council was not going to be waving the flag for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

He said: "I am angry that there will be not be a flagpole and flag on the council building for the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

"It is an extremely important occasion and it is unpatriotic not to have the Union Flag flying for her."

Mr Gosling, who is a tenants' representative for Weymouth and Portland Housing, added: "For many years there used to be a flagpole at the offices and a special flag was always flown if a prisoner had escaped.

"I know quite a lot of people on Portland who will be very disappointed there will be no Union Flag flying over the council buildings during the jubilee holiday.

"I feel so strongly about this I have put up a flag in my garden to show my support."

A letter was written on behalf of Mr Gosling to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council property services manager David Tattersall proposing the relocation of a flagpole at the offices in Underhill.

But in his reply Mr Tattersall said it was not possible to erect a flagpole because of budget restrictions and only essential repairs and maintenance could be carried out.

He suggested Portland Town Council might consider funding the cost of constructing the flagpole.

Mr Tattersall added: "We had a correspondence with a gentleman from Portland in connection with a provision of a flagpole at the council offices on Portland.

"This was not connected in any way with the Queen's jubilee celebrations."

Portland Town Council clerk Derek Wolfe said Mr Gosling had been in contact with him about the issue.

He said: "We would be prepared to consider funding the cost of constructing a flagpole on the borough council's building as and when the borough council prepare a scheme for us to consider.

"But without a flagpole we can't fly the flag."