Shropshire florist makes crown for Queen RAF Cosford visit

A Shropshire florists has been commissioned to make a crown of artificial flowers for the Queen's visit to RAF Cosford.

The 8ft by 6.5ft (2.4m by 1.9m) crown features over 2,000 artificial handmade flowers and will be part of a pageant.

Julie Bates, owner of Shifnal-based florists Peony, said she and her colleagues felt "very privileged."

The Queen will be in Shropshire on Thursday as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The crown will be used as the backdrop for an awards ceremony.

Yellow roses

It was designed by Stevie Hosell, along with Steve Hunter who helped to build the frame and took about five weeks to construct.

Ms Bates said: "We were actually very privileged to have been asked to do this incredible crown for the Queen.

"Making it out of faux flowers, which are all endorsed by the RHS, is the best way to do it.

"Stevie was very clever, she's used yellow roses which are actually the Queen's favourite flower, and the colour yellow is her favourite."

Organisers hope 20,000 people will attend the free event at RAF Cosford, which, along with the pageant, includes a picnic.