A NEW district council watchdog has been flying the flag for West Somerset by hoisting the emblem of good pirates everywhere, the Jolly Roger, up the local authority's flag pole. But a mutiny was averted at the Killick Way offices, in Williton, when monitoring officer Bruce Lang lived up to his title and swiftly stopped the skulduggery by removing the flag before most council staff had arrived for work. The stunt was staged by council critic Mitch Wicking who enlisted the help of fellow group member, his son Charley, to embark on an early morning raid on the council's flagpole on Tuesday. The distinctive skull and crossbones flew unfettered in the centre of Williton for all to see from 4.30am to 7.30am when Mr Lang undid the dirty deed. Mr Wicking said the aim had been to launch his new council watchdog group - Jolly Rogered - in protest of what he alleged was "political piracy" at the authority. He claimed local taxes and assets had been "plundered" by the council and criticised the sell- off of car parks across the district. Mr Wicking told the Free Press: "It was done half seriously and half in fun, but I think we've managed to get our point across." At one stage a number of senior council staff were seen snapping photographs of the flag on their mobile phones before it was made to 'walk the plank' by Mr Lang. Mr Wicking stressed his employer, Williton newsagent and district councillor Hugh Davies, knew nothing about the escapade and appealed for fellow council critics to "come on board" and join his group. Mr Wicking can be contacted on 01984 632082.
