MIDDLESBROUGH is showing its true colours before the historic Wembley play-off final kicks off.

The red and white ‘Boro’ football flag is flying above the town hall as Middlesbrough Football Club prepares to play Norwich on Monday to win promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

Banners pledging support are planned for the big screen in Centre Square and on council buildings as well as on Mima art gallery with help from Teesside University.

Other proposals to reflect local pride include using the bus station and town centre loudspeaker system to play ‘Boro’ tunes.

A thrilling semi-final saw Boro secure an emphatic 5-1 aggregate win over fellow promotion hopefuls Brentford to set up a final fixture with Norwich which kicks off at 3pm.

If Boro are victorious against Norwich in what is often said to be the most valuable game in world football, they will secure promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

The 38,000 fans making the pilgrimage to the hallowed ground of Wembley will also hope to draw good luck from the Boro shirts which, legend has it, were stuffed into the stadium’s arch by steel erectors working on its construction.

Middlesbrough Mayor and season ticket holder, Dave Budd, said: “The whole town has been on a high since Friday’s thumping victory over Brentford, and the scenes at the end of the game showed just how much promotion to the Premier League means to fans.

“We hope there will be banners and signs of support everywhere you turn around the town as we have a real sense that we’re on the verge of something very special.

“But we haven’t got there yet - fans need to get everything behind the team at Wembley and cheer them on to what we all hope will be a famous victory.”