A fundraiser launched to help locals on 'England's most patriotic estate' buy flags for this year's Euros has topped £1k.

Residents on the Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, southeast London have struggled with the costs of decorating their homes for the Euros this year.

Inflation and the cost of living crisis mean the St George's flags that adorn the estate have now risen to as much as £6 each - despite costing just 33p in 2018.

This means the price of patriotism has skyrocketed in recent years with St George's flags now costing football fans more than 18 times what they did six years ago.

Locals started a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of decking out balconies with flags and bunting.

The total has now ticked past £1,000 - halfway to the target of £2,000.

Despite being close to having a year off, a collaborative mural of England's south London star Eberechi Eze was unveiled shortly before the competition began earlier this month.

The striking new mural, from MurWalls and artist Mark Meana - AKA MrMeana - joins another of Lioness Fran Kirby unveiled before the women's national team's European Championship triumph in 2022.

Chris Dowse, who organises decorations during international tournaments, decided to troop the colours in extra time this year, telling fellow residents: "We have to do something - it's the Kirby Estate!" "

However, with many old flags no longer fit for purpose, the 45-year-old admitted he hadn't expected prices to have risen by as much as they had.

"The first time we bulk bought the flags was in 2018, for the World Cup," the father-of-three explained. "

"Back then, the flags were 33p each. This year we bought in bulk for around £2 each, but the same size flags are on Amazon for £5.99. "

"It's crazy. Because of the cost of living crisis, the flags have gone up a silly amount. "

"The cheapest [individual] flags I found were £3.70. "

"People are making money off them, which you understand, but we can't afford to buy them."

"You used to be able to Sainsbury's or Poundland and get a flag for a pound, but you don't see anything in the shops these days."

"It has become so much more expensive to support your country and it's really disheartening."

"Just look at how much the shirts are now - around £90. "

"I don't blame people for buying fake shirts because they can't afford to get a proper one."

But Mr Dowse - who has impressively shed more than 13 stone since April last year - says he has received criticism online for starting the GoFundMe page.

He said some had made accusations that the estate was 'far-right' and associated with Tommy Robinson, whilst others claimed residents were 'spending their benefits' on the flags.

"We never wanted to set up a GoFundMe page but we couldn't afford to do what we wanted to do," Mr Dowse said. "

"I didn't expect to get £5, let alone £500 or £1,000. "

"It puts smiles on the residents' faces when they see the flags, and they know that if England do well we will have a big party."

Mr Dowse added that any money they have left over will be put towards the ongoing refurbishment of the estate's park for local children.

Around £300 of the money raised on the GoFundMe page has already gone towards buying nearly a hundred more flags and two inflatable England players - nicknamed Crouchy and Rooney for their contrasting sizes.

More than 200 St George's flags now decorate the estate, fluttering alongside Turkish, French, Albanian and German flags belonging to other residents.

Alan Putman, a 54-year-old living on the Kirby Estate, said the display demonstrated residents' pride in their country, but agreed that rising costs had made things more difficult.

"I love them," he said. "I am very proud and passionate about the flags."

"That is what it is all about; you have to be proud of your country."

"We wish the other estates would get involved. I don't understand why they don't."

"We used to buy the flags all the time for other people and other estates, but we just can't afford it anymore. It's too expensive."

"Now we have had to tell people that if they buy their own flags we will put it up for them but we can't buy them all one."

Rebecca Robins, who has lived in the estate for eight years, added that the flags took a 'battering' from the British weather.

"There are less this year, but it's because of finances," the 36-year-old said."

"It has been really difficult purchasing them all."

"The residents fund it ourselves and all chip in, but with the rising cost of the flags, it's caused us to not be able to get as many as previous years."

"The flags we put up get quite a battering from the great English weather, so they need replacing a lot."

"It is not the lack of wanting to put them up, everyone is really keen, it's just the cost."

Alice Mitten, who has lived in the estate for nine years, says the display makes her proud to be English.

The 39-year-old said: "I love it. It makes people smile."

"I thought there were less this year, but didn't know why. Usually it is brighter out there but it still makes me so happy."

"Every day when I come home from work and see the flags it makes me smile so much. It just makes me so proud to be English."

"I put money towards it. I think they have done really well considering the price rises. They put so much time and effort into it."

"It is a shame that they have gone up so much in price."

Local Paula Ribolla, 21, added: "I think they are a nice reminder and they motivate the residents. It makes everyone want to cheer for England."

"There are less than normal, probably because of the cost-of-living crisis."

"I appreciate that they are still doing all the flags, even when the price keeps going up."

To donate to the Kirby Estate residents' GoFundMe page, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kirby-estate-se16-englands-most-patriotic-estate