Window Cleaners Brainchild Unites Northern Ireland

Flags fly on west Belfast street for football sweepstake. A Northern Ireland flag is not the most common sight on west Belfast's Springfield Road. But it is one of many flying proudly on one street ahead of the Euro 2016 football tournament. Each of the qualifying nations in the championship is represented on Iris Drive in what has been described as a "sweepstake with a difference". A group of window cleaners first had the idea ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Euro 2016: England and Northern Ireland flags fly in west Belfast street for football sweepstake: They are just some of the 60 flags flying in Iris Drive, off the Springfield Road, that represent each of the qualifying nations in the tournament for a neighbourhood sweepstake.

The colourful and impressive display was organised by locals who held a sweep for countries and put up flags for participating homeowners. Although only 24 nations qualified for the championship, demand for flags was so high that three separate sweepstakes were carried out so that everyone could join in.

'It's not a political thing...it's a bit of banter'

One of the organisers Sandy Turley told the BBC: "Every resident in the street was involved, the kids loved it. "We also had a street party and everyone came out and enjoyed themselves. "It's not a political thing - it doesn't matter if it's the Republic, Northern Ireland, or England. We like to see everyone represented. It's a bit of banter - I've my money on France but I got Germany in the sweepstake, so I'm not worried."

The neighbourhood sweepstake was the brainchild of local window cleaners and was first started ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

England, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland flags are flying in one west Belfast street ahead of Euro 2016.

Belfast Window Cleaners Organise World Cup Flags

Brazil World Cup supporter Bobby Maginn at Iris Drive off the Springfield Road.

World Cup 2014: We won't be Cross even if England win, say west Belfast residents. The beginning of the World Cup has sparked fresh flag controversy in Northern Ireland – but it's all in the samba spirit. A street in west Belfast has caught the attention of passers-by after residents hung the flags of all 32 nations competing in Rio from their homes – even the St George's Cross of old enemy England.

The colourful and impressive display on Iris Drive has been organised by a group of local window cleaners who held a sweep for countries and put up flags for participating homeowners. Sandy Turley, Packi Ryan and Stephen Walsh said residents were more than happy to get involved once they told them about their idea. "The atmosphere and community spirit in response has been overwhelming," Sandy said. "We are running on a motto of 'embrace the race', so whoever you got – even England – you have to fly the flag and support your team."

Mick Goodman drew the dreaded England ticket but said he was taking it in good spirits. "I've been dubbed English Mick and there has been a lot fun poked our way, but it's all in good fun," he said. "Some of the houses pulled Algeria and countries with no hope, I'm happy to be in the mix – even if it is England," he joked. Paul Davey, a resident in Iris Drive and who has helped organise the event, said it was great to finally have some positive flag news. A huge street party is planned on the day of the World Cup final, with the match being projected on to an outside wall for everyone to watch.