GWENT men are nipping romance in the bud when it comes to flower power, according to a new survey published today.

The Flowers and Plants Association has just published the results of its study into the buying habits of men from across the country and Welshmen are near the bottom of the pile.

The report says men in Wales spend the least and have little idea about what types of flowers to buy their partners.

An FPA spokesman said: "Shame on the men of Wales - not only are they reluctant spenders but 30 per cent admitted to having no idea at all what their partner even liked."

But are the results borne out in the florists around Newport?

Becky Sims, from Buttercups and Daisies, on Chepstow Road, said: "I think most men seem quite embarrassed when they come into a florist.

"We get a lot of calls over the phone and now the Internet from men who do not know a daisy from a rose.

"We get a bouquet arranged for some men who then want a bin liner put over the top. I think they just get teased about it."

Nicole Thomas, of Flowers and Gardens, on Lower Dock Street, said: "This weekend we saw a lot more men coming in buying flowers because they felt guilty about watching sport all weekend."

But not all florists agreed with the results of the survey. Jan Richardson, of Forget Me Not florists in Newport Arcade, said: "From our experiences I would not agree with the results of the survey.

"We find that the men who come in here are sure about what they want," she added.