PUPILS have put the flags out out to celebrate the part played by their Runcorn schoolteacher in a treasured football banner being returned to its owner.

The giant souvenir of the 1966 World Cup ­- depicting England's victorious skipper Bobby Moore and team-mates with the Jules Rimet Trophy ­- had gone missing at this month's international against Greece which saw the national side scrape through to next year's finals.

The mystery disappearance sparked a nationwide hunt with lighthearted appeals on BBC TV's Football Focus for its recovery.

But there was a perfectly innocent explanation -­ and with help from Heath schoolmaster Bob Pearson, the flag is now being reunited with one grateful London-based fan, who feared he had lost it forever.

The colourful flag ­ an imposing 20ft by 18ft ­ had been passed around Old Trafford during the tie but then left in a heap as fans got carried away with David Beckham's heroic last-gasp equaliser which ensured England's qualification for Japan and South Korea in 2002.

It was later found inside the stadium by a small group of fans. They were unable to ascertain ownership of the flag with matchday stewards, who allowed them to take it home as a memento.

However, the supporters got a shock when BBC TV's Football Focus then issued a plea for the banner's return.

Mr Pearson explained those who discovered the flag have no connection with Runcorn but had asked him, as a friend, to return it on their behalf.

And at the end of last week, a television crew duly descended on the Clifton Road school to report on the happy ending to the saga.

Mr Pearson said: 'The owner takes it to most England matches and it is passed up and down in the crowd.

'But security at this game was so tight for obvious reasons and the flag didn't get back to where it started. It was just dumped unceremoniously in a heap -­ like a huge pile of washing.

'I brokered its return and brought it into school for the kids to see -­ they thought it was fantastic.

'The owner was really pleased to find out the flag had been well looked after and delighted a lot of kids had gained such enjoyment from it.'