A Liberal Democrat council has become the first to attempt a ban on residents raising flags on or near public highways.

Oxfordshire County Council has applied for a High Court injunction to stop those placing flags near the roads.

Since last summer's Raise the Colours campaign St George's crosses and Union flags have appeared on lampposts and road barriers.

Some councils moved to take down the flags and paint over some roundabouts which saw flag designs painted across them.

Oxfordshire County Council said on Wednesday: 'Residents across Oxfordshire, from Adderbury to Wallingford, have complained to the council about safety risks, intimidation and distress linked to this activity.

'The ongoing scale and persistence of the behaviour by Raise the Colours has created safety risks, caused distress within communities, and led to abuse and intimidation directed at council teams and residents.'

Liam Walker, a Conservative councillor, said 'many residents' would 'question whether this is really the right time to be escalating matters further through the courts' as England begin their World Cup campaign.

'Common sense and proportionality should always guide decision-making, particularly when the costs involved are ultimately borne by taxpayers.'

Tim Bearder, the leader of the council, said: 'We proudly fly the Union Flag and St George's flag at County Hall and we fully support the right of residents to display flags on their own private property.

'However, there's an important distinction between lawful expression and activity that puts people at risk or intimidates residents in their own communities.

'This activity is not about national pride or unity. It is unlawful behaviour, which has caused fear and division within our communities.'

A council spokesman insisted there was no link between the timing of the High Court hearing - which is set for June 23 - and the World Cup.

If the council's bid is successful, it could mean anyone mounting flags near public highways could face up to two years in prison and a substantial fine.

Oxfordshire removed and painted over more than 333 Union and St George's cross flags at an average cost of £45 per flag, it was reported in January.

In total councillors said around £15,000 had been spent taking down flags.

Operation Raise the Colours encouraged supporters to mount flags in their communities last summer in an effort which has continued since.

But the group was criticised for its links to far-right groups - it accepted a donation from Britain First, it was revealed last year.

Andy Saxon, one of the campaign's organisers, said he did not believe Britain First was a far-right group.

The party campaigns for 'remigration' and supports a new treason law for politicians who 'alter the demographic makeup of the British Isles'.

Mr Saxon, a father-of-five, has previously reshared posts from Britain First leader Paul Golding and said: 'I am indeed a supporter of Tommy Robinson.'

Commenting on Oxfordshire County Council's action against flag-raising, Mr Walker said: 'Whatever people's views on this underlying issue about flags on lamp-posts, taxpayers are entitled to ask how much this entire process is costing.

'At a time when local authorities are under immense financial pressure and residents are seeing services stretched, there must be full transparency about the total cost of this action and who will ultimately be footing the bill.'

Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative Party chairman, said: 'We should be unashamedly proud of our national identity. The Union Jack and the flag of St George both unite our nation.

'So, it is shameful that the Liberal Democrats are turning their backs on these important symbols. People should be encouraged to show their patriotism, not lectured out of it. The Lib Dems need to get off their virtue-signalling high horse and get behind our flag.'