BOSSES at the Mini car factory in Cowley removed an England flag put up by workers in the assembly facility on health and safety grounds.

The company said workers could display smaller flags, instead of the 15ft-wide flag, during the World Cup.

BMW spokeswoman Rebecca Baxter said: “We are fully behind our associates showing their support during the World Cup.

"With more than 80 nationalities working at Mini Plant Oxford, we have asked associates to use the smaller, car-sized flags.

“This is also to avoid compromising health and safety in the manufacturing environment.”