A campaign by Conservative MEPs to lift the threat to the Red Ensign has succeeded this week in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

North East Conservative MEP Martin Callanan has welcomed the decision to save the Red Ensign from being replaced with a new version incorporating the EU emblem.

The flag was at risk from an amendment passed in the Parliament's Transport Committee, which required that 'ships registered in a Member State shall display the emblem of the European Union, i.e. a circle of 12 gold stars on a square blue background, in a corner of their flags'.

Speaking after the vote Martin Callanan MEP said:

"I am delighted that the Red Duster is no longer at risk.

Hundreds of years of maritime tradition were under threat, and Britain's Merchant Fleet can continue to proudly fly the historic Red Ensign.

This was another attempt to force the EU identity onto Member States. There was no justification for the compulsory display of the EU symbol on the Red Ensign - it would not have enhanced security or ease of identification."