Welsh flags on plates legalised

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Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy says he thinks there will be a big demand among the 1.7m motorists in Wales

Drivers in Wales are now allowed to sport the Welsh dragon on their vehicle's licence plate.

A change in the law means the 1.7 million cars, vans and lorries registered in Wales can display the red dragon emblem.

The other national flags and emblems approved for display on British vehicles are the Union Flag, the Cross of St George and the Scottish Saltire.

It overturns an EU ban on such symbols, except the European Union flag.

The letters GB were also allowed to be written underneath it.

The amendment to the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 took effect on Monday.

In addition to legally sporting a red dragon flag on the both the front and rear registration plates, drivers will have the choice of using "Wales" or its Welsh equivalent, "Cymru".

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said the move was the delivery of a long-standing commitment.

He said: "I think they are very attractive and I think there will be a big demand in Wales for this.

The plates bear the word 'Wales' or 'Cymru' underneath

"It's a sign of national consciousness but it is also something that people in Wales want.

"I hope the red dragon will now become a familiar sight across Wales and beyond as motorists take the opportunity to display their Welsh pride on their plates."

He said he planned to have the Welsh dragon on his ministerial car within the next couple of weeks.

On St David's Day last year, Plaid Cymru launched an online petition calling for the law change to be implemented, saying thousands of drivers were already "voting with their feet" by displaying a Welsh dragon emblem.