Flags and bunting should not be erected on electricity poles, Northern Ireland Electricity has warned.

The company said anyone who attempted to attach flags to electricity equipment risks serious injury or even death.

The practice is also causing unnecessary problems for staff.

NIE spokesperson Robin Greer appealed to people to stay away from electricity poles.

Both communities fly flags from electricity poles

"I have to say to everybody who may be considering putting anything on a pole for any reason, do not do it," he said.

"You are putting yourself in danger and you are also possibly going to cause a power cut or prevent our engineers from getting to a pole or wires where there is a danger of a power cut."