AN EDEN town has flown its new flag for the first time.

Appleby's flag was unveiled at a ceremony attended by Mayor Andy Connell and town councillors at the Moot Hall on Friday (February 6).

Registered with the Flag Institute, the design comprises a plain royal blue background featuring a stylised apple tree.

The background colour was taken from the current town's coat-of-arms and the apple tree was based on the flag of Westmorland - originally on the 13th century seal of Appleby.

The current Appleby flag was registered to the town council meaning nobody else could fly it, said Councillor Stan Rooke.

But thanks to a design submitted to the authority in September by vexillologist Philip Tibbetts, the council welcomed the latest addition.

"Everybody can have a flag," said Cllr Rooke. "They can have stickers, posters, fridge magnets - available from the Tourist Information Centre, and the flags themselves if they order from me."

Businesses can also get their hands on the design for any promotional literature or letterhead.