PATRIOTIC probation staff in Bolton supporting the England soccer team are furious after being told they cannot display the St George's flag during working hours.

The probation service across Greater Manchester has banned employees from flying the English flag from their cars while visiting clients.

The action was taken by bosses after concerns were raised that the national emblem had been highjacked in the past by extreme political parties such as the British National Party.

Probation service chiefs believe the flag sends out a negative message and could cause upset and offence to certain sections of society. They issued a memo to hundreds of workers in the Greater Manchester Probation service, including more than 100 staff based in Bolton.

But angry staff have hit out at the ban and said they had wanted to fly the St George's flag with pride ahead of tomorrow's England game against France in the Euro 2004 finals.

One employee based at the Bolton probation offices in St Helena Mill, St Helena Street said: "I'm furious that our bosses see fit to tell us what we can or cannot put on our own cars.

"We are trusted to go out every day to deal with murderers, rapists, paedophiles and other criminals, and we always show great sensitivity when we deal with the public.

"We have a high level of responsibility in our jobs and it's a bit insulting to be told when we can fly flags on our own vehicles, especially when everyone in town is euphoric and driving round with flags on display everywhere.

"It's very condescending to be told by management that you will not do this because somebody might or might not be offended."

The employee also said the memo had been heavily criticised by staff using the probation service's internal communications network - so much so that management had closed down the discussion sessions.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We took the decision to ban flying the St George's flag during working hours following concerns expressed by staff.

"It is a sensitive issue where the BNP have used the flag of St George as their emblem and this would send out the wrong message when we go into certain areas of the community.

"Employees are more than welcome to fly the flag in their own time and at home, but not during working hours."

The offending memo said: "We have received a note of concern about members of staff displaying flags in offices and vehicles while at work.

"While it is understood that people want to show their support for the England team, we are sensitive that our national flag has been used in a negative context and causes upset and offence."

"As an organisation, we value diversity and want to develop a sense of inclusiveness.

"Our intentions therefore are that national flags or similar emblems should not be displayed on or around probation premises untless they are a requirement of the building.

"We also ask that staff do not display flags or emblems while undertaking probation business. We thank you for your co-operation in that regard."

Thousands of motorists, taxi drivers and homes across the borough have been flying the flag of St George for weeks in the lead-up to Euro 2004, which starts today.

Other public service employees, including Inland Revenue staff at Bolton, have not been banned from flying the St George's flag while at work.