A TEENAGER has hit out at thieves who stole his prized flag bought to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the World Cup.

William Hodgson was stunned to find the St George's flag had vanished after he and his mum Denise tied it outside their house on Thursday night.

The 14-year-old, a pupil at Malvern's Chase High School, said the thieves had "some cheek".

"It makes me wonder what sort of a place we're living in when someone goes out and steals a flag which they could buy for £3," he said.

"We're all really fed up about it.

"There are a lot of flags around at the moment, so we assumed ours would be safe hanging out of a bedroom window. Whoever did this really has some cheek."

His mum said she was staggered the culprits had gone to so much trouble to remove the flag.

"William, his brother Alex and their sister Salome, really wanted a flag, so I went out and got them one each and then someone steals it for the sake of £3," said the 34-year-old.

"I really can't believe someone's gone to these lengths. I thought this was a time when communities were coming together. I can't get into Worcester to replace it, and the children are really cheesed off because they haven't got one each."

Ms Hodgson of Marsh Close, Malvern, said the incident was the latest in a series of thefts from her garden, including a bird table and ornament.