Neighbours have appealed for help to solve the mystery of two missing flags which disappeared from Walthamstow Stadium.

The Union Jack and its flagpole were spotted missing yesterday from the top car park at the front of the former dog track in Chingford Road, Walthamstow, and the American flag was missing today.

The stadium has sported flags of different countries for years and Gail Penfold, chair of the Walthamstow Stadium Area Residents Association, fears people have stolen the standards as a prank.

She said: “It’s a shame. It just doesn’t look right. They mean a lot to people. If it’s pranksters and they just return it, then no problem, we’d love to have our flags back.”

The flags have been a mainstay of the stadium in the past but were taken down a couple of years ago when they grew old and tatty, only to be replaced in time for the Olympics.

Mrs Penfold added: “People were over the moon at that. The stadium looks strange without them.”

Construction workers are on site at the moment on behalf of London & Quadrant (L&Q), which is turning the stadium into a 294-home housing estate after winning permission last year despite local opposition.

The Guardian has asked L&Q whether it removed the flags.

If anyone has seen anything please contact reporter Joe Curtis at jcurtis@london.newsquest.co.uk