IT IS the new flag that will “express pride in the city”.

The flag drawn by schoolchild Yihuan Han from Portswood School has been chosen as the symbol of Southampton.

Yihuan is the winner of a Southampton City Council-run contest, aimed at choosing the flag which will proudly represent the city across the country.

The winning entry features the Hampshire rose and an anchor and will be added to the Flag Institute’s UK Flag Registry and recognised as the official symbol of Southampton.

Businesses, residents and souvenir manufacturers will be able to freely use the design to show their pride in the city.

Council leader, Simon Letts welcomed the news and said that this will be one of the ways to build city pride.

"It’s a very positive symbol of identity," he added.

The winning entry was chosen in a public poll and received 178 votes.

The flag drawn by school children at St Mary’s C of E Primary School came second with 168 votes followed by the proposal put forward by Lucy Marler-Hausen from Ludlow Junior School.

All the six finalists will receive prizes and an award ceremony will be held on November 23.