Organisers say they are "encouraged and delighted" by the early response to the competition to create a flag for Herefordshire.

The contest closes in just over two weeks, on April 15. But the county's flag committee say they have already had a substantial number of entries.

"We're very pleased," said committee chairman David Marshall. "But we do want as many competitors as possible and we'd particularly like to see more schools getting involved before it's too late.

"It's a wonderful way to inspire young people children with a sense of what's special about where they live. And it is not an opportunity that's going to happen again."

The last of a series of workshops to inspire potential designers will be held in a marquee in High Town in Hereford from 10am to 3pm on Saturday to coincide with the Lego Brick History exhibition.

"The workshops we've already held have been terrific overall," said Jan Perridge of ignite-cic, which has been organising the events. "There's been a very wide range of ideas from people who have never done anything like this before. And a lot of people have been interested even if they haven't had the confidence to try a design. They have been very surprised we don't have a flag already."

Currently, 36 of England's 39 historic counties have an official flag registered with the Flag Institute - Herefordshire is one of the three exceptions. Although at least two versions of an unofficial flag have been on sale, they have no status.

The new flag will be selected by the people of the county after a panel has whittled down the entrants to a short list. All Herefordshire residents aged five and over will be eligible to vote. The competition itself is open to everyone, whether they live in the county or not. Artistic expertise is not essential - the idea is what matters.

Details of the competition can be downloaded at www.the-shire.co.uk/herefordshireflag or collected from public libraries. Queries can be sent to herefordshireflag@gmail.com.