Northumbria has another contender for the oldest county flag.

This ancient Kingdom of Northumberland, the site of many battles between the English and Scots is another county which has shrunk it's borders in recent years,

The Venerable Bede the Anglo-Saxon Chronicler details a purple and gold banner which hung over the tomb of the 7th Century King of Northumbria and latterly St Oswald.

 The flag is simple in design although rather eye catching.