PIRATES' renowned skull and crossbones flag flew proudly from the Civic Centre pole when Poole mayor Cllr Ronald Parker recently entertained a party from the Elite League club.

Normally, the borough council's own flag, emblazoned with the words 'Poole - It's a beautiful place', flutters from the mast. But in tribute to the publicity brought to the town by its speedway team, the town's official flag was taken down and replaced by the skull and crossbones for one day only.