Herefordshire is set to get its own official county flag, belatedly joining a nationwide trend. And everyone in the county will have the chance to submit their own design and vote to decide the winning entry.

All but three of the 39 historic counties already have officially recognised flags that can be flown anywhere. Herefordshire hopes to be able to join them next year, after an open competition.

“This is an opportunity for an outburst of creativity that can involve everyone,” Herefordshire writer Matthew Engel, who helped develop the idea, told the Ross Gazette.

“It would be great if the winning flag came from a local artist or an eight-year-old in an art class.

“You don’t even need to be able to draw. If someone has a brilliant idea, we hope to be able to help them make it a reality.”

The organisers hope to announce full details of the competition before the end of the year. The process is being overseen by the Herefordshire Cultural Partnership, which led Hereford’s attempt to be chosen as City of Culture next year. It is backed by the Chairman of Herefordshire council, Brian Wilcox. But Mr Engel emphasised that the project is not being led by councillors and has nothing to do with politics.

“It’s vital that the flag is not something imposed on people from above,” Mr Engel added. “It has to be a community decision. And it’s not political. It’s a way of symbolising the quiet pride that we all have about living in this wonderful county. For ourselves, our visitors and, above all, our children.”

A ‘Herefordshire flag’, which was designed by someone from outside the county, is already being flown in a few places. But it is not recognised by the national registration body, the Flag Institute, and cannot be used officially.

Organisers are anxious to hear from anyone interested in making the Herefordshire Flag happen: schools, colleges, individuals who would like to enter the competition, volunteers willing to help with organisation and potential sponsors. They are invited to email [email protected]

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