ENGLAND'S flag will fly above the Town Hall on Monday to mark St George's Day - for only the third time in recent history.

Bolton Council has agreed to fly the flag once again this year in a move applauded by campaigners who want St George's Day to be a more prominent event in the English calendar.

Campaigners for St George's Day celebrations say the day should be on a par with St Patrick's Day in Ireland.

In the past Bolton Council has sparked controversy by refusing to fly the flag of St George, saying it was following Government protocol. However, the council performed a U-turn in 2005, when its decision not to fly the flag was heavily criticised.

This weekend a number of events will be held to mark the day.

Ken Chaisty is hosting a red and white themed proms-style party at Horwich RMI Club on Sunday and is hoping to raise more than £1,000 for Horwich carnival charities.

Mr Chaisty, who is also calling for the day to be a national holiday, said: "We seem to celebrate everybody else's saint's day, but little is done to mark our own. I think that this should be a bank holiday. I'm sure if you had a poll of people in Bolton they would agree."

Also in Horwich, Morris Men from across Lancashire will gather tomorrow for the annual St George's Day dance through the town. On Sunday up to 1,000 Scouts will be parading through the Bolton to mark the day and celebrate their centenary year.

They will be joined by the mayors of Bolton, Horwich and Westhoughton as well as MPs Brian Iddon and David Crausby at a ceremony at the Town Hall at 2.30pm.

Tonight the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Walter Hall, is holding a St George's Day dinner at the Holiday Inn, Higher Bridge Street, Bolton.