A FLAG-MAKING tradition stretching back three centuries has come to an end with the closure of the flagloft at Chatham's Historic Dockyard. The Admiral's Original Flagloft ceased trading after losing money for more than 10 years.

The loft has been making flags since 1732 and made the original flag for HMS Victory and, more recently, the Royal Standards for the Royal Yacht Britannia. Although the loft has never made a profit, managing director Charles Ashburner decided the time was right to cut his losses.

He said: "It is sad that the flag loft must close but it is just not possible to keep it open. The historical background of it made it worthwhile but it is a business and if a business isn't making money, it ceases trading.

"In this case, it is the history which will disappear with it and that is very sad. We are proud to have kept it going for the last 10 years but we have no choice but to close it."

The closure of the shops and the departure of the dockyard's sail-making firm left the flag loft alone in a huge building. At its height, the flag loft employed 10 staff but in recent years, this number dwindled to six. Now four have been made redundant.

The two managers, Barbara and Peter Cornwall will remain with the company in new posts.

Mrs Cornwall said: "It is the end of an era."