THURROCK Council has made a public apology for failing to fly a flag at half mast from Coalhouse Fort as a tribute to mark the passing of HRH Prince Philip.

The council did lower flags on two civic buildings but there was no flag at all at Coalhouse Fort, which it owns, and which is the borough's biggest link to maritime history in which the Prince played such a prominent part.

The absence of a flag at the fort in East Tilbury was commented on by a number of people, including members of the Coalhouse Fort Future group.

Among the many comments criticising the council was the following: "Sadly, no flag flies at half-mast on Thurrock Council's most prominent flagpole in the borough.

"Given Prince Philip's naval associations, its position overlooking the Thames would have been most poignant; particularly with the Council's motto on its Coat of Arms being 'By Thames to all People of the World'.

"A missed opportunity for Thurrock Council to show its respect, on behalf of its residents and the nation, on this momentous occasion."

Thurrock Nub News raised the issue with the council which, in an unattributed statement, acknowledged the public concern. It reads: "Thurrock Council apologises that the flag at Coalhouse Fort had not been flying and was not lowered to half-mast. This issue is being addressed.

"The council ensured that flags flying at the Civic Offices in Grays and Civic Square in Tilbury were lowered to half-mast and then raised on Sunday in line with the protocols in place for marking the sad death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip."