GET your flags out for Pat – that’s the message to traders as a mark of respect for Weymouth’s Flag Man.

Pat Silverton, better known as The Flag Man, who voluntarily put up and maintained the flags and bunting in St Alban Street, Weymouth, passed away on April 22, following an illness.

His funeral will be held at Weymouth Crematorium this Friday at 2.30pm and his wake will be at The Cutter, East Street.

Traders and friends from St Alban Street will be putting up flags on Friday in tribute to Pat and are calling on all Weymouth traders and businesses to do the same.

Shaun Hennessy from Blondz hairdressers in St Edmund Street said: “I think it would be nice for everyone to put a flag out or in their window on Friday to show their respect for a man who made the town a nicer place to visit and be in.”

He added: “He was just a nice guy who tried to improve the environment he lived in.”

Mr Hennessy said Pat helped Weymouth Carnival last year, giving advice, ideas and putting committee members in touch with people.

Friend Richard Terry said that it would be a lovely tribute to Pat.

He said: “It’s a very good idea – excellent.

“He would have loved that, he really would.”

Dee Gough from The Cutter said they were still collecting donations for a charity close to Pat’s heart – Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

The charity, which Pat raised money for, helps to support the children of fallen heroes. The money will then be presented to Pat’s brother Den Silverton.

Mrs Gough said: “Putting the flags out is a good idea.”

Den Silverton said the family had been touched by all the wonderful tributes to Pat.

Speaking about Friday’s flag tribute idea he said: “I’m speechless.

“I’m so moved.”

He added: “I am delighted and so proud of my brother.”

Tina Boys from News and Chews said she hoped people would get behind the idea and put flags out.

She said: “It’s a good idea.

“I hope people will do it.”

Owner of Imagine Books, Ann Newman, said: “He was very inspiring.

“He would come into the shop and inspire us when things looked gloomy.

“He was always out there, sorting the flags and making them look wonderful.”

Felicity Cranny from Limelight said: “It’s a good idea.

“It shows everyone’s showing their respect to him.”