THE last crop of carnations to be grown by Jersey’s once world-famous flower industry were being picked this week.

Economic pressures have forced Grouville-based De La Mare Nurseries to stop growing flowers. Owner Roy Smith has put in a planning application to demolish his greenhouses and build housing on his land instead.

Mr Smith has been growing flowers for 25 years and his carnation-filled greenhouses have long been a landmark on the road east of Grouville Parish Church. However, he says that he now finds it is now cheaper to import from foreign countries than grow his own supply.

The news comes after tomato growers announced this week that they have stopped exporting tomatoes to the UK. Mr Smith plans to keep De La Mare Florist (Teleflorist) running for the next 12 months and may relocate the shop when the building is eventually knocked down.

• Picture: The final commercial crop of carnations is picked at De La Mare Nurseries. Picture by Matthew Hotton (00599978)