GRIEVING parents had to source new flowers just hours before their premature baby’s funeral when the florist they had paid let them down.

Archie John Slane, who weighed just 1lb 7oz when he was born, passed away last month aged 33 days after battling infections and a perforated bowel.

His funeral took place at Pleasington Cemetery and his mum and dad Stacey Naughton and Bobby Slane had paid florist Latanya Rawsthorn, who runs Rosie Rawsthorn’s, in Audley Range, Blackburn, £120 for flowers spelling the word ‘son’ and a teddy bear.

But the evening before the funeral, Miss Rawsthorn told the couple she had had domestic issues, that the money had gone and she could not supply the flowers.

Stacey said: “It was supposed to be our final tribute to our son.

“We managed to get him some roses, but nobody could do anything else at that late stage.”

Miss Rawsthorn later returned £100 to Stacey and Bobby, who live in Bolton Road, Blackburn, and also had a balloon and flowers delivered for their daughter Aleysha’s 16th birthday as compensation.

The 26-year-old, who has now shut her shop , said she will return the remaining £20 by Monday.

She said: “I could not apologise more than what I did.

“I was devastated, but not as devastated as them.

“I feel so bad for what happened, but no sorry is enough, I know that.

“Obviously I should be able to provide the service when somebody has paid, but I am only young and I have three children.

“They do not understand how bad I feel for not making the flowers.

“I would not have let them down if I had not had the situation I had at the time.

“I am not that type of person, I do have a heart.”

Stacey said she hoped nobody else would have to go through the pain she had been caused.

She said: “I feel awful. That day has gone now.

“I wanted Archie to have some some special floral tribute from me and his daddy

“I cannot get that day back.”