Flag Institute has 'postbag full' of suggestions for new Union design if Scotland votes for independence

A leading flag expert says his organisation has received a "postbag" full of suggestions for a replacement British design should Scotland vote to leave the union.

Nearly 65% of people who responded to a small survey last year said they thought the Union Flag should change if Scotland voted yes.

"One of the most popular of the suggested designs simply exchanges the blue of Scotland's cross of St.Andrew with the black of Wales' cross of St. David," said Flag Institute chief executive Charles Ashburner.

"Others go further and include both black and gold from the St. David flag," he added.

Another on a similar theme adds a Welsh green to the design.

Another suggestion includes the Welsh Dragon.

This one "stands out as being both unique and unlike any other flag currently in existence," Mr Ashburner said.

This design has the Commonwealth in mind.

This one combines St. David's black with symbols representative of the home nations.

And this one has a "distinctly royal flavour".

Many designs simply combined flags of the home nations.

Mr Ashburner insisted that his organisation was not arguing for or against a change in the Union Flag but simply facilitating a debate around the subject.

In November last year the College of Arms told ITV News that it had no plans to change the Union Flag if Scotland became independent.