THESE are the six flags in the running to become the new symbol of the city.

And Daily Echo readers have the chance to help choose which one will proudly represent Southampton across the country.

The six designs, created by Southampton schoolchildren, have been announced as the finalists in the Southampton City Council-run contest.

The winning entry will be chosen in a public poll, set to end next month.

It 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, said: “We’ve received so many amazing and creative flag designs from children across the city and it’s been very exciting, but incredibly difficult to choose winners from each age category.

“It’s now up to Southampton’s residents to have their say and choose a flag that will allow us to express pride in our community, celebrate our heritage and culture and raise greater recognition and awareness nationwide.”

The six finalists were narrowed down from 500 designs, entered from children aged between five and 16.

Entries were split into age groups, with the youngest coming from the six to seven-year-old category. That entry was by Mouenis Takennit, from Moorlands Primary School.

Others include Yihuan Han in the seven to eight group, from Portswood School, Lucy Marler-Hausen in the eight to nine group, from Ludlow Junior School, Iuri Frias in the 12 to 13 group, from Great Oaks School, Russel Hasan in the 13 to 14 group, from Cantell School and Upper Shirley’s Jesse-Jake Le-Warne in the 11 to 12 group.

Echo readers can vote for their favourite by cutting out the picture from the paper and sending it to Simon Letts (Flags), Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY.

The deadline is October 13.