Harrison Flagpoles flies the flag for the Olympic Games

A DARLINGTON manufacturer has revealed how it helped keep the flags flying during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Harrison Flagpoles supplied and installed flagpoles for the Olympic Stadium, including the three seven metre fan assisted poles used to hoist the winning countries’ flags during the medal presentation ceremonies. The firm, which supplies and installs flags, flagpoles and event products, was also responsible for four 15 metre flagpoles in the main arena.

Two of these took pride of place on the huge grass mound during the opening ceremony and were used to raise the flag to mark the official start of the games. Harrison’s also supplied up to 7,500 feather flags for the torch relay.

MD Andrew Hobson said: “It was a very proud moment to be part of such a big event. Our market is a very competitive one but Harrison’s has been established for 40 years and has a global reputation.”

It’s not the first time the firm, which employs 26 people, has been involved in large scale events. They have previously worked on the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and The London Marathon.

“Harrisons is a very exciting company with huge plans for the future,” said Mr Hobson. “We are a North-east company with a global reputation. We do a lot of work in the Middle East and the States. We’re growing year on year, employing more people and bringing manufacturing back to the UK.”