Published: February 17, 2007
Flag man heads for the heights of Burnham-On-Sea Pier!

It isn't a job for people who don't like heights... but for this man it's all in a day's work.

Professional flag repairer Wayne Orchard of Porthcawl's Celtic Flag Services scales the heights of piers and other tall structures around the country on a daily basis.

And on Saturday morning (February 17th), he was in action on Burnham-On-Sea's pier, replacing its four flags after they were torn to bits during recent heavy storms.

The pier, which is in record books as the UK's shortest, has to change its flags frequently because the stiff onshore winds from the Bristol Channel take their toll.

Pier owner Harry Parkin used to gingerly do the job himself, however new health and safety regulations mean the task cannot be taken lightly and a professional is needed.

Mr Orchard says the height doesn't bother him: "I've been doing this for many years and never feel scared. If you felt scared you couldn't do the job. Burnham's pier is actually an easy one to do. The roof is strong and has good traction."

The brand new flags were raised into place on Saturday in readiness for the expected influx of visitors over the half-term holidays.

RELATED LINKS:

Live Burnham-On-Sea Webcam

Burnham-On-Sea Pier

Historical photos of Burnham pier and seafront