THE Poole flag has flown from the town's Guildhall this week, to mark the passing of local historian Brian Galpin.

Brian's funeral took place at Poole Crematorium, yesterday.

He passed away on December 30, aged 82, and this has been the first time the Poole flag ­— based on the 14th Century Poole town seal – has been flown from a public building by BCP Council.

BCP Council leader councillor Vikki Slade, who exercised her discretionary powers to ensure the flag could be flown, said: “Brian contributed much to our community and was a passionate defender of Poole’s heritage.

"It seems fitting that his passing should be marked by the use of a historic design atop one of the oldest and most splendid of Poole’s buildings.

“We recognise that each town is distinct and the council will be revising our flag-flying policy to enable the three towns to express their individual identities on prominent public buildings, like the Guildhall, in future."

Brian was a founder member of the Dorset Family History Society and was described as "a hugely knowledgeable historian of Poole."

Brian’s family requested donations in his memory to either the RNLI or Marie Curie.

The flag flew from Tuesday afternoon up until yesterday morning.