Northern supermarket Booths has said it will avoid the shortages in UK-grown poinsettia expected in other parts of the country because of its close long-term relationship with a local grower.

Cheap imports meant British varieties were scarce in the run-up to Christmas, but a nursery in Lancashire was growing poinsettia for Booths and expected to supply its 26 stores with 20,000 plants in coming weeks.

Booths said it was committed to supporting local producers and to keeping flower miles down.