Bin available to recycle England flags

 A FOOTBALL fan so dismayed by the England team's performance at the World Cup he has put a bin outside his shop for supporters to recycle their patriotic flags.

Barry Bancroft, who runs Backwell Barbers, was so disappointed at the team's 0-0 draw with Algeria on Friday he decided to offer his recycling bin to other equally despondent fans to recycle their England flags.

People have been decorating their cars, homes and shops with the flag of St George in the build up and during the South African tournament.

So far however, the bin - which has its own England flag attached to it -  has only been used to dispose of  chip papers and the odd cigarette butt.

Mr Bancroft, 57, who runs the barber shop with business partner Jay Sparey, 56, said the bin was a light-hearted stab at the England team.

Mr Bancroft, a Bristol City supporter, said: "We did it for a joke really - it's a light- hearted stab at the England team for its performance.

"The poor performance put in by our players has been a real talking point in the shop and a lot of people are disappointed at the results so far.

"We thought the recycling bin for the flags would be a bit of a laugh."

This is not the first time one of Mr Bancroft's fun stunts have hit the headlines.

Several years ago he ran into trouble by selling stink bombs in the shop in an attempt to attract more teenage customers.

He was forced to take them off the shelves following complaints from Backwell School and villagers about the smell they were causing.

Mr Bancroft, a barber of 43 years, said: "So far we haven't had any flags put in the bin.

"Infact all that was in there was a few chip papers and some cigarette butts.

"The fact that no one has chosen to recycle their flags shows there is still real loyalty for the England team.

"Here's hoping they do better in their game with Slovenia this Wednesday, or the bin may start to get very full."