LUDGERSHALL Town Council (LTC) has been embroiled in a social media debate after hoisting a Pride flag in the town’s war memorial garden.

The gesture upset some residents who felt the flag 'disrespected' those who fell in war.

One resident wrote on a Ludgershall Facebook group that the war memorial was “a celebration of the two wars, not a place to celebrate anything else,” calling the pride flag an “insult".

Others shared this sentiment, saying that the flag should not be flown at a memorial site.

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Another resident wrote: "I have no issues with the Pride flag or community. At the end of the day, no one minds where the flag is flown or where it is put in the town. However, the one place you do NOT put it on is the memorial."

A third resident wrote: “Show some respect for fallen, currently serving and ex-serving personnel who have fought to keep this country safe. This is a memorial to remember and show respect and not a symbol to cause controversy. Take the flag down immediately and place it somewhere else in the town.”

However, a few residents defended the council’s decision and pointed out that gay people served in both World Wars and they deserved to be remembered.

"Surely, every fallen soldier deserves our uttermost respect regardless of their sexuality," wrote one resident.

In response to the controversy, the town council issued a statement on Facebook explaining its position.

It said it has a positive relationship with the local military and said it has been shocked to read the 'horrible' messages put on Facebook about the council being disrespectful regarding putting the progressive pride flag up on the new flag pole.

The council said the flagpole’s location in the war memorial garden was chosen for aesthetic reasons, not to disrespect the memorial itself.

"LTC decided to get each Saints' Day's flag so we could show respect for all the UK nations these have been going up for each one," the Facebook post read.

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"LTC are trying to be a diverse and more progressive council and therefore along with many other councils around the UK agreed to fly the progressive pride flag."

The council also assured residents that the D-Day flag would be raised on Thursday, June 6, following proper protocol.

“Also on June 6, I am sure you will all see we will be lighting a beacon in the evening following the same protocols and respect. Then on Saturday, we are having a celebration party in the park."