RED-faced bosses at an Eastleigh club have apologised after accidentally putting up a distress signal over the High Street.

Scores of old soldiers noticed that the Union Jack flying over the Imperial Club was upside down - which in times of trouble is a call for help.

In days gone by ships that were adrift after losing power or steering would turn the flag upside down to alert fellow mariners to their plight.

The club has promised to sort the mess out as soon as possible but that hasn't stopped the president of Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford Royal British Legion firing off a blistering broadside.

Jack Ashton said: "It's absolutely disgraceful. It's an insult to every British man, woman and child. It's offensive to every service person who has fought in a war for this country.

"We all fought under the flag and we would plant it in the ground proudly. I think it's imperative that they sort it out. In any other country if someone put the flag upside down they would be shot. If they don't rectify it, I will be banging on someone's door."

Imperial Club general manager Steve May said: "Its very hard for the untrained eye to tell that it's upside down. Not being knowledgeable about the situation, we messed up big time.

"We have had over 20 complaints from old soldiers who are getting really upset because it's the wrong way around.

"We would like to apologise and assure people that we are going to put it right as soon as possible.

"We have got Poppy Day coming up and we have had the British Legion in here with their collecting boxes - but we are still in trouble. They take it very seriously."