Dawn's Flower Box florist creates a Christmas door arch

Florist Serena Bartlett, 19, created a Winter Wonderland themed Christmas door arch for her workplace, Dawn's Flower Box in Deacon Road.

Inspired by London and the city's annual Christmas event in Hyde Park, Serena took it upon herself to bring joy to customers and the surrounding community.

Serena Bartlett's Christmas arch for Dawn's Flower Box in Merryoak

Serena said: "The whole idea came about last year when I was at Winter Wonderland in London. Walking through London I saw all these arches in doorways and thought it would be amazing to bring a part of London back to Merryoak.

"I made one last year using traditional colours, berries, and poinsettias. My boss Dawn loved it.

"Because we have had a really tough year, I wanted to do something bright and colourful and do a Winter Wonderland theme for my arch.

"It's nice to spread a bit of Christmas cheer as people have not had the best year."

Serena Bartlett creating her Christmas arch for Dawn's Flower Box in Merryoak

Serena used chicken wire, oasis foam blocks and cable ties to create the structure, then used nobilis pine fern for the foliage and colourful baubles and lights for the decoration.

She said: "When I was creating the arch, kids and their parents would walk past and say it looked amazing. People just stop by in their car to say it’s amazing. One woman has even asked how much it costs and said that it’s lovely. We have had lots of comments about it.

"This Sunday (November 28) I’m making one for Shamblehurst Primary School as they wanted an arch for the school.

Serena Bartlett with her finished Christmas arch for Dawn's Flower Box in Merryoak

"For me, I have suffered a lot these past few months and I wanted to challenge myself and show that there is more to floristry and that there are lots of different aspects to it.

"The arch is something I am proud to have achieved."