A flower shop at a Paddington hospital will close its doors after more than 40 years in yet another casualty of the recession.

People will no longer be able to buy blooms to cheers up loved-ones from the Friends Flower Shop at St Mary's Hospital, in Praed Street.

The shop is run by volunteers from the Friends of St Mary's Hospital, a charitable organisation. But hospital staff revealed the shop has not been able to break even in recent months and it will shut its doors at the end of March.

The shop was opened in 1965 and has been in its present home since 1980, selling flowers, cards and gifts.

Well-wishers will have to buy bouquets from nearby supermarkets or from Paddington Station instead if they want to say it with flowers.

But the charity will still be at the hospital running the Friends Cafe, which will remain open, and it is looking for more volunteers to help out.

"The Friends of St Mary's have taken the decision to close the flower shop with great sadness," a hospital spokesman said.

If you are interested in taking part in voluntary work for the Friends of St Mary's, call the charity's office on 020 7886 6585.