A leading flag expert says his organisation has received a "postbag" full of suggestions for a replacement British design should Scotland vote to leave the union.

Nearly 65% of people who responded to a small survey last year said they thought the Union Flag should change if Scotland voted yes.

"One of the most popular of the suggested designs simply exchanges the blue of Scotland's cross of St.Andrew with the black of Wales' cross of St. David," said Flag Institute chief executive Charles Ashburner.

"Others go further and include both black and gold from the St. David flag," he added.

. Credit: Flag Institute

This one is a variation in the same theme. Credit: Flag Institute

Another on a similar theme adds a Welsh green to the design.

. Credit: Flag Institute

Another suggestion includes the Welsh Dragon.

. Credit: Flag Institute

This one "stands out as being both unique and unlike any other flag currently in existence," Mr Ashburner said.

'United Britain' is designed by John Yates. Credit: Flag Institute

This design has the Commonwealth in mind.

. Credit: Flag Institute

This one combines St. David's black with symbols representative of the home nations.

. Credit: Flag Institute

And this one has a "distinctly royal flavour".

. Credit: Flag Institute

Many designs simply combined flags of the home nations.

. Credit: Flag Institute

. Credit: Flag Institute

. Credit: Flag Institute

Mr Ashburner insisted that his organisation was not arguing for or against a change in the Union Flag but simply facilitating a debate around the subject.

In November last year the College of Arms told ITV News that it had no plans to change the Union Flag if Scotland became independent.