absent this year due to a severe shortage, it has been claimed.

Churches may have to resort to other types of blooms for decoration for their Good Friday and Easter Sunday services this weekend because growers claim the vast majority of lilies have already blossomed and died.

Joey Pacheco, whose father owns one of the largest lily farms on the Island, Locust Hall, said the problem was caused because Easter was so late this year.

He said: "We are going to be very short this year.

"A lot of churches use them to decorate their crosses and people quite often put them on graves at this time of year, but I don't think there is going to be enough to go around.

"There is nothing we can do. People will have to use something else. We have been selling lots of them for weeks, but now there are not many left.

"Normally Easter is sooner than this, so it works out well for the lilies. In the 20 years that we have been growing them, we have never known Easter to be so late.

"They have been beautiful, as well.'' Governor Thorold Masefield this week visited Locust Hall Farm to pick a bouquet of lilies for the Queen. They were flown to England yesterday.

Mr. Pacheco said: "I have to admit, they were absolutely beautiful. But we simply do not have as many as we normally do for Easter time.'' Florists on the Island yesterday said they had not noticed a shortage of the blooms.

So far, they said, they had been supplied with the number of stems they had ordered but admitted that could change.

Lena Araujo, owner of Demco florists in Hamilton, said: "I haven't noticed a shortage of lilies, so far. I would say the churches are going to have lilies this weekend, but they usually have other kinds also.

"I haven't had any problem getting a supply.'' Maryjane Cabral, who owns House of Flowers, said: "We are not taking a lot of orders at the moment, but we have not noticed a problem.

"We have about six to eight churches that order flowers, but they use different kinds because they like the spring colours. I have not noticed a shortage.'' Lilies for Easter? Farmers are concerned this year's late Easter may cause a shortage of the Blossoms.