CITY of York Council has begun flying Scotland's Saltire flag above York’s Mansion House as the Scottish Referendum on Independence looms closer.

The decision to fly The St Andrew's Cross was taken by the council’s three main political groups and also the Scottish-born Lord Mayor, Tory councillor Ian Gillies, to show their support for keeping Scotland within the union.

York council leader James Alexander has said that political leaders in the city were speaking as one on this important issue.

The flag will fly until the day of the poll, Thursday. The Union Flag is also being flown at the council’s West Offices headquarters.

Meanwhile Cllr Alexander has called on Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to commit to an ambitious programme of devolution for the North of England.

He said decisions made locally were better 'because we understand our people better than Whitehall bureaucrats.'

He said devolved powers should include allowing areas to keep more of the tax they raised and spend it on local priorities.

“The referendum on independence for Scotland, whatever the result, should pave the way for a new commitment from all parties to deliver devolution to places such as Yorkshire which has such a strong identity and economic weight," he said.