Village councillors are refusing to allow their flagpole to be used to fly the stars and stripes to welcome visiting American students.
In a majority decision, Great Bentley parish councillors say the flagpole, which stands on the historic green, is for British flags only.
The students from Georgia are due to visit the village on Monday, June 9, as part of a project looking at International Citizenship.
But one councillor Mick Dorling said: "I was personally mystified at the decision not to make these American children feel welcome.
"Our children went over there the previous year and received a very excellent welcome and had a really good time.
"The idea was to make them feel at home."
Geoffrey Catchpole, the clerk of the parish council, declared: "The flagpole is for British flags, not for visitors or anyone else."
The request to fly the Union flag had been made by a member of the council.
Published Wednesday, May 28, 2003
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