Managing director Gary Lasham (pictured) was quoted in a story on the BBC's website about a Liverpool shopkeeper who was told to remove flags outside his shop used to mark the occasion.

Shopkeeper Phil Moffat was ordered by Liverpool Council officials to remove around 20 flags, or face a fine of 1,000, after they were declared as dangerous.

Lasham, representing Multigraphics division thebannerpeople.com, said he felt more people went out and celebrated St Patrick's Day, rather than mark that of St George.

However, although he had seen an increase in the use of banners for a variety of occasions, that had not been the case with St George's Day.

Story by Andy Scott