Konrad Mikulla: Flagbearer

It was taken as a war trophy by a German sailor and, by a series of co-incidences, has come into the hands of a North Somerset cricket team.

Clive Burlton and eight members of the Congresbury team are sailing to Guernsey this weekend to hand over the flag to the Bailiff.

The existence of the flag emerged during a cricket club dinner last year.

'Still amazed'

The Channel Islands were the only part of Britain to be occupied by the Germans during the war.

Konrad Mikulla, 82, who had been a German prisoner of war in the UK during World War II and had settled in the country after the war, told Congresbury members how he had been given the flag by a friend in Germany.

Mr Mikulla, who had later given the 9ft by 4ft flag to his son Chris, will be among the cricket team's party to the island.

Mr Burlton said: "We thought it was appropriate to bring the flag back in the manner it was taken from the island.

"I am still amazed that these items can find their way to the surface.

"It should be back in Guernsey. It should not be on top of a wardrobe in Congresbury."