Prison flag has flown . . .

SNEAK thieves have stolen a large flag — from Dartmoor Prison.

The distinctive flag, measuring 6ft by 4ft, was lowered from the pole outside the prison's main gate sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

But anyone flying it in their garden is likely to come under suspicion — the flag is white with blue lettering spelling out . . . 'HM Prison Service'.

And it's not the first time a flag has gone missing from the site. Several years ago a Union flag was stolen, said prison governor John Lawrence.

He added: 'I can't think why the Prison Service flag would have been taken. But today we're flying the Union flag on instructions from the Home Office because of the official visit to the UK of the Chinese President,' said Mr Lawrence.

So is the President visiting Dartmoor?

'No, we've just been told to fly the flag,' said Mr Lawrence.