IT SHOULD have been her busiest time of the year.

But instead florist Samantha Moore has been left with a shop full of wilting blooms after controversial roadworks drove her clients away, costing her more than £1,000.

The owner of Floral Art in Falkland Road, Eastleigh, is now demanding compensation from highway chiefs, blaming the closure of Leigh Road for the devastating drop in business.

Unable to sleep due to the stress caused by a massive 80 per cent drop in trade, the 27-year-old is angry that Hampshire County Council didn’t even warn her about the resurfacing work just metres from her shop.

Forced to visit local pubs in the evenings to try and sell her flowers, Samantha was told by many would-be customers they went elsewhere to avoid the traffic chaos caused by the closures.

Motorists have faced delays since the closure between the M3 overpass and the junction with Bournemouth Road, on February 8. Work was due to be completed by today.

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