As millions of couples said it with flowers this Valentine's Day, tortured souls in one corner of Worcester Park were finding romance harder to come by.

Engineers put a thorn in love's side by digging up the road outside Blooming Vale florists in the Parade a fortnight earlier than advertised.

Southern Gas told flower sellers it would be replacing rusting cast-iron mains on February 28 but workmen arrived unannounced before their busiest retail day.

Magda Lauer, owner of Blooming Vale, said cupid's bow had hardly struck above till receipts since mini-excavators overran parking spaces.

She told the Sutton Guardian: "Only the truly brave are now courageous enough to cross barriers and risk falling down holes in the name of buying carnations for loved ones.

"We've had a terrible time, losing about two thirds of our trade. The elderly are afraid to walk up here, and people who would stop off after work are heading to big supermarkets.

"There was a day last week when I made just £20 - in the build-up to Valentine's Day. I understand the need for maintenance work but none of us shopkeepers was prepared."

This week Southern Gas apologised for failing to notify some residents that work to lay new polyethelene pipes was being brought forward.

Sharon McKenzie-Miller, a spokeswoman, said: "We have invested £63,000 to provide a safe and reliable gas supply for people in Worcester Park.

"We are truly sorry if there was some miscommunication, but re-scheduling would have been done in conjuction with the local council. There could be a number of reasons for this, such as schools being off."

Utility firms are entitled to dig up streets without permission, provided reasonable notice is given of any road closures. The works should be completed by March 13.