Poles for the long awaited Borehamwood eruv have a new topping - England flags.

The St George emblem has appeared on five of the 34 poles marking the perimeter of the eruv, which allows observant Jews to push or carry certain items on Shabbat and festivals.

"It looks like a kids' prank," said an Elstree and Borehamwood Eruv Trust representative. "It makes no difference to the function of the eruv."

The spokesman dismissed the possibility that the action reflected opposition from residents to the visual impact of the eruv poles.