Coronation flag kept in shirtbox for 60 years

The 82 year old mother-of-six says she has “no further use” for the flag and would like to find a new owner for it.

Dorothy and her late husband Tommy - who ran a garage business - went to Toronto, Canada for their honeymoon in the 1950s and ended up staying two years.

When Queen Elizabeth came to the throne in 1952 there were celebrations in Canada to mark the occasion and many streets were decorated.

“Where we lived in Toronto the streets were decorated in flags,” she explained. “One night there was a severe thunderstorm which brought down this big flag.”

She and her friend Phyllis Stadler (nee McAleese), who also came from The Loup, recovered the flag from the gutter.

Dorothy washed it and decided to bring it home with her when she and Tommy returned home to Northern Ireland.

“The flag is a bit battered in places and has a few stains which I could not get out,” she said. “It is hand-stitched, of good quality and was made in Canada.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the flag can contact Dorothy at her home, 108 Ballyneal Road, The Loup, or telephone 028 79418237.