An English city council has been forced to apologise for celebrating the Welsh Grand Slam

An English council has apologised after flying the Welsh flag on St Patrick's Day.

Social media users expressed their puzzlement on Sunday when the distinctive red dragon of Wales was spotted fluttering above Sheffield's Town Hall.

The city council then added to the confusion by issuing an initial statement which included congratulations to the Welsh rugby union team following its Grand Slam in the Six Nations.

On Monday, a Sheffield City Council spokeswoman said: "We are very sorry that the Welsh flag was raised in error yesterday rather than the St Patrick's flag.

"We are also sorry for any offence caused by our earlier statement."

Wales were crowned Six Nations Grand Slam champions as they demolished Ireland 25-7 in Cardiff to claim European rugby’s glittering double prize.

The Principality Stadium threatened to lift from its foundations, with Wales making it 14 games unbeaten and giving head coach Warren Gatland a record-breaking Six Nations swansong.

Gatland’s final Six Nations game – he leaves Wales after the World Cup later this year – saw him become the first coach in Five or Six Nations history to win three Grand Slams.

PA