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 wouldbe 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.

Despite cutting her stock order by half, Samantha made only £300 instead of the usual £1,500.

“I am so angry that the council didn’t even have the decency to warn me about the roadworks,” she said.

“I believe the county council should pay some kind of compensation or reduce my rates, because they have no problem taking that off me despite my business being ruined by their roadworks.”

Now Eastliegh MP Chris Huhne is backing Samantha’s case. He said: “This is the most extreme case I have come across, to suddenly get walloped by a road closure like this, which is drying up any passing trade. My heart goes out to her.”

Hampshire County Council bosses said resurfacing work was combined with utility works.

Councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for environment, added: “Although we are sympathetic to the trader’s situation, unlike the private sector, we are governed by the Highways Act with regard to compensation and have no powers to compensate businesses.”