The Edinburgh branch of Adecco has entered a battle with city council chiefs over plans to fly its company flag.

Adecco wants to erect a 1.8m by 2m flag decorated with the firm’s logo at its new premises in Castle Street. It claims that part of the lease includes the use of the flagpole on the exterior of the premises, subject to the company gaining planning consent.

However, Edinburgh City Council has refused to grant planning permission and Adecco has now appealed to the Scottish Executive to step in.

According to the city’s head of planning Alan Henderson, the flag is a form of advertising, and council regulations stipulate that only national flags can be displayed in the area.

“The proposed flag neither preserves nor enhances the character or appearance of the conservation area,” he said.