Readers of a monthly newspaper have donated more than £1,300 worth of flags for an annual display.

Worthing Journal editor Paul Holden started the Seafront Flag Appeal in 2002 when he was editor of the Worthing Sentinel.

Since then flags worth more than £16,000 have been donated for display on the town’s promenade and pier.

Paul, who is on the organising committee for a jubilee party on the town’s promenade, recently received an award from the mayor of Worthing to mark his work for the town.

Said Paul: “The Journal serves Worthing and not shareholders.I thought it was mad that the town had dozens of flagpoles but no flags so embarked on the appeal.

“The flags add colour and movement to the seafront and are much appreciated by visitors and residents alike.”

So far this year Union, England, Scotland and Welsh standard flags have been donated to the seafront flag appeal.

Already this year the Journal has raised more than £300 from its annual orange and lemon fling-a thon in aid of Worthing Paralympic tennis hopeful Lauren Jones.

Paul also commissioned a giant pier-shaped cake to celebrate the recent 150th anniversary of Worthing Pier.

The title was founded in January 2011 after Paul was made redundant as Worthing district correspondent for the Brighton-based Argus.