A PATRIOTIC landlord who painted the England flag on the end of his listed pub has been ordered to take it down.Council officials have given Philip Taylor, landlord of the Kings Head in Loddon, eight weeks to repaint the wall or face possible enforcement or prosecution action.

A PATRIOTIC landlord who painted the England flag on the end of his listed pub has been ordered to take it down.

Council officials have given Philip Taylor, landlord of the Kings Head in Loddon, eight weeks to repaint the wall or face possible enforcement or prosecution action.

Mr Taylor said yesterday that he thought South Norfolk Council had been “very fair” in giving him eight weeks to take it down as by then the World Cup will be over.

The keen football fan, who went to the last two European cup finals, says he fully intends to return the wall to normal in due course.

It took 49-year-old Mr Taylor about three hours using a roller to transform the magnolia wall into the red and white style of the cross of St George.

It is not the first time the publican has shown his patriotic side. In 2004 he painted the outside of his former pub the Duke's Head in Gorleston in the style of the England flag.

Mr Taylor, who has run the Kings Head for the last five years, said: “It went up last week and the brush wasn't even dry when someone phoned up the council.

“I am very patriotic and want to support our boys. It was always my intention to turn it back eventually.

“I was not surprised to get the letter. I think the council has been very fair to be perfectly honest to give me eight weeks to take it down by which time the World Cup is over.

Mr Taylor added: “I want to fill my pub up. Times are hard. Since the smoking ban my takings are down �68,000 a year at this pub. I will be doing lots of special offers during the World Cup for my customers.”

In a letter to Mr Taylor, South Norfolk Council enforcement officer Martin Burrows said: “I can advise you that the carrying out of the above works to the listed building is a criminal offence and you should appreciate that in the absence of the necessary consent it is also open to the council to take enforcement and/or prosecution action to remedy the breach of planning control.

“To avoid this possibility you should ensure that the wall is repainted in its former colour within eight weeks of the date of this letter.”

Last night a South Norfolk Council spokesman said that while such offences are treated very seriously the authority is not immune to a touch of World Cup fever.

He said: “It is clear, from the eight week deadline given to the Kings Head, that this council strongly believes England will make it to the finals this time!”