The Doncaster florist going viral for her unusual funeral wreaths

A florist with a flair for the unusual says her unique creations can help the industry modernise and stay relevant.

Vicki Mitchell said no design had so far left her stumped, having created floral stock cubes, cigarette packets, video game controllers and more.

Vicki, who has been a florist for 26 years, said she was proud to help people at their saddest and happiest.

"We need to offer something you can't get in the supermarket or online," she said.

The 42-year-old, who runs Sheila's Florist in the village of Harlington near Doncaster, said: "This is what keeps floristry moving forward.

"There's a lot of skill involved in it and a lot of training.

"It's nice to show your skillset off."

Recently, a photo of a wreath in the style of a giant-sized packet of cigarettes which Vicki made for a funeral went viral.

Samantha Hakin, from Conisbrough, requested the design for the funeral of her father, Michael Wesley.

She said: "My dad had a wicked sense of humour, when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer he found comfort in having a cigarette and a glass of Bacardi.

"He never wanted flowers but we decided to get some when he was cremated.

"We decided to go for something he would find funny."

Ms Hakin added: "He wouldn't be bothered about anything to do with normal flowers, but my dad wasn't conventional. He would have loved it."

Vicki's other previous creations include a gingerbread man and a three-tier birthday cake to decorate a headstone.

Depending on size and complexity, the wreaths can cost hundreds of pounds.

"We are known for unusual things," she said.

"Initially you are thinking, 'hmm, how are we going to make it?'. We don't mind, it's nice for us to have a bit of variety."

Vicki previously studied for degree in English with the ambition of becoming a teacher, but returned to floristry.

She said that making a special design could take a number of days but was worth it as "it's unique to that person".

The giant cigarette tribute triggered a host of new and unusual wreath requests for Vicki, including a show-jumping horse and the Star Wars character Yoda.

"There's always a way to do it," she said.

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