RESIDENTS in a mixed area of south Belfast were left "shocked and saddened" by the appearance of Union flags for the first time in around a decade.
The flags were hung from lamp posts at the Four Winds roundabout late on Wednesday night.
Political representatives said they had been inundated with calls by residents angered at the development and there was "cross-party support for the flags to come down".
However it appeared that the flags were taken down in the course of the yesterday evening, although it is not known who removed them.
Earlier Sinn Féin councillor Ryan Carlin said it was an "integrated area with people from all backgrounds" adding there had been "a massive backlash from residents after the flags went up on Wednesday night"
"I have never seen flags at this roundabout in the time I have lived here and there is no desire for any flags at all in this area.
"We had a similar issue in Newtownbreda earlier in the year, which is still unresolved and we don’t want this dragging on or setting a precedent."
Alliance councillor Michelle Guy described the flags being erected as a "provacative act".
"Residents are shocked and saddened, this is a well established mixed community and it really has shocked and unnerved people," she said.
"There is no history or tradition of flags in this area and putting them up is a deliberately provocative action that helps no-one.
"It feels like a step backwards."
