The group, named "I believe the majority of Flintshire and Deeside should be removed from Wales" has been set up on the hugely popular and widely used Facebook website, where members can create profiles and groups, which they can then invite friends to join.

The controversial group proposes that Flintshire should be "removed from Wales and be extradited to England, or even given independence as an undisputed territory, similar to the Gaza Strip, Israel."

Its content has been slammed by Flintshire councillors, who say they are concerned about the built up effects that groups such as this have the potential to create.

Alex Aldridge, Flint town mayor, said: "This kind of behaviour is very inflammatory and there is no room in Flintshire for that sort of inane talk.

"Our county does have a lot of English people and although I was born and bred in Wales, I am proud to be Welsh but also proud to be British.

"Borders in the UK are just lines drawn on a map and Flintshire is an integral part of Wales and of Great Britain. These actions are abject nonsense."

Bernie Attridge, Connah's Quay councillor, added: "As a Deeside councillor, I think that to do something like this is complete madness.

"We may be on the border of Wales in Flintshire, but many people here were born and bred in the area and are very proud to be Welsh. People are obviously entitled to their opinion, but to go this far seems stupid."

Northop Hall councillor Tony Sharps said: "This issue is one that continues to raise its head across North Wales, particularly since the introduction of the Welsh Assembly Government.

"Despite the view that North Wales has a lack of resources compared to South Wales, I still believe that we should remain part of this country."

Aston councillor George Hardcastle added: "It is totally out of order. I am shocked that people would do this, as there are many Welsh and English people living in Flintshire happily, who have done so for many years.

"This sort of behaviour only serves to rile people."

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