RULE Britannia - we should be proud to be British!

That's the opinion of people in York, most of whom backed calls made by the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, for Britain to have a day to celebrate its national

identity.

Mr Brown used his first major speech of 2006 to urge Labour supporters to "embrace the Union flag".

In an address to the Fabian Society in London, he said it was important the flag was recaptured from the Far Right.

Mr Brown said: "Instead of the BNP using it as a symbol of racial division, the flag should be a symbol of unity, and part of a modern

expression of patriotism too.

"All the United Kingdom should honour it, not ignore it. We should assert that the Union flag by definition is a flag for tolerance and

inclusion."

York's Labour MP, Hugh Bayley, supported the idea of a British Day, but said it should not be confused with the English patron saint St George's Day or Remembrance Day, and should be a separate

celebration in the summer.

He said: "There's a lot which makes us special in the world, which is why so many people look up to Britain and want to come here to visit.

"Perhaps there's a kind of British reserve which makes us reluctant to celebrate what we've contributed to the world, but I think we should, and a British day would be an ideal way to do that."

Every year, Scouts in York celebrate St George's Day, along with the birthday of their founder, Baden Powell, on April 23, with a parade through the centre of the city.

The assistant district

commissioner for Ebor Scouts, David Durham, said Scouts are still taught the importance of St George, although the significance of the parade date was more to do with Baden Powell.

Speaking as an individual, Mr Durham said he didn't believe a national day was the answer.

He said: "I think people should be patriotic if they want to be, although I'm not so sure about a National Day - that smacks of being a bit too American. I think part of the way it could be addressed would be to teach youngsters about their heritage."

Last year, cricket legend Ian Botham delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street, calling for St George's Day to be made a national holiday.

Updated: 10:44 Monday, January 16, 2006