GO TO ROCHDALE and you’ll probably see the red rose fluttering in the breeze outside the town hall.

You may also see a white horse in Whitstable, a red dragon in Dunster and a handful of martlets in Midhurst if you look in the right places.

But when it comes to flying the county flag, Hampshire draws a blank.

“I’ve always been interested in flags since I was a kid but if you go to places like Cornwall and Devon you see their county flags everywhere,” said Mike Jacobs.

“I know Hampshire County Council (HCC) has its own flag but it’s just for them. I think Hampshire should have its own.”

Living in Canada hasn’t stopped Mr Jacobs from leading a campaign to get a flag designated for the county he grew up in.

The 48-year-old from Oshawa, Ontario, returned to Hampshire a fortnight ago for a vacation that included a trip to the Ageas Bowl to watch Hampshire beat Glamorgan in a thrilling T20 fixture.

But he couldn’t resist the chance to fly a couple of his designs on the summit of Butser Hill, the county’s highest point, which was also one of his dad’s favourite spots.

“When my dad became ill there was a bit of an urge to get something registered but we didn’t have any momentum,” said Mr Jacobs, who grew up in Leigh Park.

“Certainly now it would be really nice to get a Hampshire flag registered in his honour, because he was a proud Hampshireman.”

Mr Jacobs’ campaign has interested the Flag Institute as it has played a big part in getting flags designated from Sussex to the northern tip of Scotland.

Leader of HCC Cllr Roy Perry said the council’s flag, which features a rose and crown, reflected the county’s history and traditions but admitted he would be open to Mr Jacobs’ proposals.

He added: “We are not aware of a widespread desire among Hampshire residents for their own county flag but, if there were, then HCC would help facilitate the process.”

Mr Jacobs’ favoured design features the rose and crown on top of a blue, white and green background to represent The Solent, chalk and downs but he’s open to suggestions.

He added: “The other design I’ve got features the Hampshire hog but I like the idea of a competition where people could submit their own designs.”