FLOWER fans are blooming fuming over council workers who dead-headed daffodils in Blackburn.

Residents protested when parks bosses sent in the mowers to tidy up grass verges and cut down daffodils before they had even flowered.

Now flower growers in Pendle and Burnley have added their condemnation to the "off with their heads" ruling.

There was anger over the move at Barnoldswick's annual Daffodil Show, which attracts enthusiasts from throughout the North.

Barnoldswick Horticultural Society secretary Alan Greenwood, who has won flower awards all over the country, said the decision was a disgrace.

He said: "It is ridiculous and makes no sense at all.

"I agree the plants look a mess after they have flowered. But to cut them down before flowering not only robs the public of a wonderful springtime display, it means the bulbs could take years to recover."

Show competitor and former Pendle councillor David Clamp, said: "It is a barmy thing to do. "

The Barnoldswick show's top winner Keith Capper, of Bury, added: "It looks like Blackburn has cancelled spring this year -- which is a pity.

"The bulbs may survive, or they may rot and die, because they have been robbed of the food from the leaves, which builds up the bulbs for next year. "

Show chairman Pat Borman added: "It is hard to believe any council would do this -- it is a silly move. People really do appreciate daffodils displays."

Some years ago, Pendle council workmen cleared roadside daffodil displays in Colne by mistake -- sparking protests from residents and an apology from parks bosses.

Last week the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed how Blackburn with Darwen Council workmen mowed down hundreds of daffs in Buncer Lane and Brownhill Drive as they trimmed the grass around the stem.

The council said it had chosen to 'selectively remove' bulbs from areas where there had been complaints about long grass.