BUSINESS is blooming for a west Dorset flower company - and they are now seeking the help of the public to help expand their garden.

A fundraising campaign to build an environmentally friendly flower barn is two thirds of the way to its target.

Zanna and Jonny Hoskins, owners of Spindle Flowers, have transformed a one-acre paddock they bought in Wootton Fitzpaine in 2012 into a colourful garden with an array of flowers and wildlife. The next step in their plan is to build a flower barn so that more people can enjoy the garden.

The couple set up a Crowdfunder page to raise the £60,000 they require for the project. They have currently raised £40,000 - two thirds of the overall target.

The flower barn would provide cool storage for cut flowers and foliage, thanks to the eco-friendly construction - a timber frame with hemp and lime walls. This will increase production as well as enable courses for small groups.

The building will include an office, washing facilities and somewhere to make refreshments, bringing real benefit to everyone who works at the site, especially volunteers, some of whom are elderly. This will allow Spindle Flowers to operate more efficiently throughout the year, supplying flowers and foliage to top florists as well as local floristry and wholesale.

Jonny Hoskins said: "It has been a dream to work sympathetically with the land in this way, and to see it develop over the years. The biodiversity is incredible, and the surroundings feed your soul. This building will be amazing, and if we can raise the full amount we will be able to offer courses later on this year. It is wonderful how much people enjoy our place and Zanna’s work. I am really proud of what we have achieved.”

Zanna Hoskins said: “We have been totally blown away by the response to the CrowdFunder. People clearly believe in what we are doing and they are getting right behind it. We are incredibly grateful for all our supporters, and having a building will make an enormous difference to everyone involved."

For more information or to donate, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/flower-barn