The study of UK adults found 51 per cent considering moving away from their town or city, with 64 per cent saying they wanted more colourful or interesting surroundings.

Three-quarters said their mood was most negatively affected by a dull or drab backdrop in their home town.

And half of those polled said they had not been given flowers in recent memory with a further 68 per cent saying they had never bought flowers for themselves.

To combat the tide of grey the FCH is on a mission to bring colour to towns and cities with its flower power shower bus, which visited towns around the country giving out free blooms and offering passers-by the opportunity to win 1,000 bouquets of flowers.

FCH representative Jonathon Read said: "It’s about time we gave ourselves something to smile about. We Britons need flowers more than ever right now — and we’re bringing those flowers to towns and cities across the country."

A recent study measured the changes in people’s behaviour and moods when they were around flowers, finding they have a calming and uplifting effect.

Psychologist Glenn Wilson said: The researchers discovered that flowers had this effect on people because of their natural simplicity. People were more open and sociable, smiled more and felt their anxieties eradicated. In fact, people with flowers at home were even more productive and enthusiastic at work.

To find out more about the promotion visit www.funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk.

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