A WELSH flag featuring a lobster as part of a publicity stunt in support of a skin cancer charity was not offensive and shows how well regarded the national flag is, the organiser of the Aberystwyth St David’s Day Parade has said.

Despite some on social media complaining about Skin Care Cymru being allowed to swap the country’s iconic dragon with the lobster, parade organiser Sion Jobbins said that while the flag needs to be treated “with respect”, he took no offence to the stunt.

The flags were put up all over Wales on St David’s Day and one was still flying at Aberystwyth University this week.

Mr Jobbins said: “I’m a big fan of the flag and think it needs to be treated with respect, but I also like the idea that Welsh people feel such affection, affinity and ownership of the flag that they can also adapt it for good causes or to make political statements.

“That, for me, is a sign of strength and a vote of support for the flag.”

The flag formed part of Skin Care Cymru’s Don’t Be A Lobster campaign which is urging people to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays after figures revealed that in the last decade the rate of skin cancer in Wales has risen by 86 per cent for men and 44 per cent for women.

Paul Thomas, chair of Skin Care Cymru, said: “The red dragon in the Welsh flag is probably the most iconic symbol of Wales.

“Similarly a lobster is one of the most well-known associations with sunburn.

“Skin cancer is a real issue in Wales with more than 140 people dying from it in our country every year which is why we launched the Don’t Be A Lobster campaign."See this week's Aberystwyth edition for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow