A Sussex flower grower is on a mission to raise awareness about the benefits of growing and buying British flowers. For the past ten years fourth generation grower Ben Cross has spread the message that "British flowers rock", seeking more support and recognition for homegrown blooms.
The qualified marine biologist and NFU member came back to work at his family business, Crosslands Flower Nursery at Walberton near Arundel, in 2011, concerned at the number of nurseries being lost to development. "Flowers are a £2.2 billion industry in the UK but over 90 percent of flowers are imported," he said.
"I didn't want us to go the same way.
"When my great-grandparents started in 1936 there were thousands of nurseries. Now we're one of the last larger growers left in the UK, specializing in producing alstroemeria."
Read more at theargus.co.uk