Dorset florists are concerned about the coronavirus outbreak hitting their flower stocks.

Florists are in the midst of their busiest week of the year as they build up to Mother’s Day celebrations this Sunday, but independent flower sellers have voiced concerns about supplies from abroad.

Flower markets and auctions in the Netherlands, which supply the majority of the UK’s flowers, have been partly shut down this week due to coronavirus.

Local sellers said they have already seen the effects of recent government restrictions on customer numbers and sales.

Fiona Penny at Sunflowers florists on St Thomas Street in Weymouth said she is concerned about her future supplies.

"We have Mother's Day this weekend, it's our busiest of the year. So far, we have been able to get stock but it looks like it's going to get hard because of the border controls at the moment. We get most of our stock from France and Holland.

"We are saying to people to pick up their flowers as soon as possible because we might run out of stock. At the moment we have plenty of stock but we don't know what the situation is going to be.

"We have found that we are getting a lot more online orders and phone orders and we are still going out delivering. Some people are telling us to just tap the door and leave them outside.

"We are worried about if we are having to close next week and how that's going to affect my business and my staff.

"We have plenty of stock now but we are worried about this is going to affect us in the coming weeks.

"All we are doing is staying positive and keep smiling."

Emma Randall, owner of Stems Florist in Weymouth Avenue in Dorchester, gets most of her stock from Holland. She said: "The stock is getting here but there is a delay. We are fine for Mother's Day but it might hit us if the borders shut but we don't know.

"The next couple of weeks are usually quiet after Mother's Day anyway but this week is our peak period. There's been a lot more phone calls and deliveries made. I think people usually would take their mum out for lunch but if they can't get to them they are having flowers and choccies delivered instead.

"I will certainly be looking at the business and making sure I don't over order on anything next week."