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Patriotic Brits are increasingly afraid to show their national pride in public for fear of ridicule or abuse, a study found.

Research revealed many believe national pride is on the wane, with younger generations placing less importance on patriotism than ever before.

And one in four believe we are currently living in the least patriotic decade there has been, showing a decline in national pride.

Brits overwhelmingly declared the 1940s as the decade when patriotism was at its height, with the nation brought together by the Second World War.

According to the report, 79 per cent consider themselves patriotic in some way, and almost nine in 10 would agree they are proud of their birthplace.

But 22 per cent fear they would be made to feel ashamed of their patriotism if their views were to be aired in public.

And one in five feel they can only truly display their patriotism during large events when national pride is encouraged.

Greg Tatton-Brown from online casino Casumo.com , who commissioned the study, said: “In today’s political and cultural climate, in a divided Brexit Britain, expressing pride in your birth nation can feel like something of a social grey area.

“Our study has found, just ahead of St. George’s Day, that many of us are proud of our country, though feel it is generally only appropriate to express this pride at particular times.”

The World Cup was named the occasion where Brits feel most comfortable indulging their patriotic side, followed by the Olympic Games and Armistice Day.

Generally, older Brits feel more patriotic than younger generations, with 40 per cent aged 55 and over describing themselves as ‘Very patriotic’, compared to 18 per cent of those aged 18 to 24.

Younger people are also more likely to feel ashamed of expressing their patriotism, with 29 per cent of young adults surveyed feeling this way, compared to 19 per cent of those aged 55 and over.

And a quarter of 18 to 24 year olds think patriotism doesn’t really matter in modern society, compared to 15 per cent of over 55s.

Of the 2,000 adults surveyed, one in two own something bearing the flag of their home country, be it a sticker, shirt or keyring.

Seven per cent even have a tattoo of their country’s flag, patron saint or symbol on their bodies.

And 48 per cent wish there were more flags bearing their home country flying in their local town or city.

Despite this, only 17 per cent would feel comfortable flying a national flag in their garden or outside their property.

And 72 per cent of Brits think people are less patriotic than they used to be.

With St George’s Day on Monday, one in seven of those surveyed said they celebrate the day of their nation’s patron saint every year, and one in four have celebrated the day at least once in the past.

Greg added: “British patriotism has something of an image crisis, and each flying national flag is heavy with history and context which can be problematic.

“It is interesting to see from our findings Brits would feel more comfortable representing their nation during a sporting event than, say, a patron saints holiday, as perhaps the context of sporting rivalries and team support smooths over the harder edges of patriotism.”

Top 10 signs you're patriotic

Knowing all the words to your national anthem Flying a flag above your home You'd argue or fight with someone who insulted your country Watching the Queen's Speech every Christmas Only buying products or food from your own country Wearing clothes with your flag on them Being able to name all the Royals Having your country's flag on your car license plate Knowing the Queen's birthday Having your country's flag on your car

Top 10 most patriotic events