FLORAL surprises are popping up all over Swindon this week as local grower Flower Dreams does its best to cultivate awareness of British Flowers Week.

Bouquets are being left in different locations, on park benches, in bus shelters and other spots, for passers by to take home.

With Lonely Bouquet Day 2016 just around the corner, Claire McCarty and Rosemarie Thompson have been busy making up posies at their Purton base.

“We do it because we’re a local grower and it’s nice feedback from people that find them,” explained Claire.

“We just leave them somewhere we think people will find them. Wherever we’re going we try to leave a bouquet.”

“I just think it is a lovely thing to do. It always makes someone’s day.”

British Flowers Week, which runs until June 19, is intended to highlight British cut flowers and foliage at a time when there is increased interest in home-grown produce.

It is a campaign by New Covent Garden Flower Market with the aim of bringing local flowers back into British homes.

Until the 1970s most cut flowers in markets and nurseries were produced by British farmers. Now most are imported from commercial growers in areas like the Netherlands, Africa and South America.

A series of events is planned around the country including an online photo contest, a family flower festival in Devon and a flower fair in Horatio’s Garden at Salisbury Hospital.

Visit britishflowersweek.com for more information.