GORNAL has a new civic symbol after the official unveiling of the winning design for the 2014 village flag.

Dudley Mayor, councillor Alan Finch, took part in a ceremony to fly the flag on December 7 at Gornal Library on Abbey Road.

The new flag shows images representing Gornal life, including a pig on a wall which refers to a local legend about a man who put his animal on a wall to get a better view of a passing military band.

Competition winner Hannah Baker, aged nine, who is a pupil at Straits Primary School, was on hand to help raise the flag.

Cllr Finch said: “This is the second year that we’ve run this competition and it’s becoming hotly contested. The flag-raising is all about encouraging people to take pride in where they live, as part of our Love Your Community campaign and I’m delighted that residents across Gornal have got into the spirit of the initiative.

“We had fantastic feedback on last year’s flag, and what it means for Gornal, and I’m sure that this year’s flag will generate similar comments.

“Yet again we’ve had some fantastic entries from the school children and I’d like to congratulate all of the contestants on their creativity.”

The competition was funded by Ellowes Hall and Area Tenants and Residents Association.