Florists in Bradford have become the latest target for a publishing company, under investigation by trading standards officers.

Letters arrived through the letterboxes of two shops from Rosenberg Publishing, telling them they'd been selected to appear free in a new book, the Good Florist Guide.

The East London based company added if the florists sent them £19 each, a certificate of confirmation would be sent back to them.

Ironically on the same day the Telegraph & Argus printed a story warning caf owners about a similar scheme involving a Good Caf Guide, also to be published by Rosenberg Publishing.

In that story Waltham Forest Council, the local authority where the company is based, warned caf owners to consider if the publication existed and would they be able to contact it for a refund if there was a problem.

Anne Griffin, owner of the Little Florist Shop, in Fagley Road, Fagley, had just returned from the Harrogate Show, where she'd won third prize in the corsage class, when she opened the letter.

She said: "When I first saw the letter I was highly delighted. Then my husband showed me the story in the Telegraph & Argus. I've no intention of sending any money."

Samantha Mackerill, 22, owner of the Harvest Fresh Florist, in Sunbridge Road, Bradford city centre, said: "The letter we received sounds exactly the same as the one sent to the cafes.

"It says we have been given a free entry into the guide and if we send off £19 we can get a certificate. I'm not sending any money."

A Waltham Forest Council spokesman said it couldn't find any reference to Rosenberg Publishing and so far hadn't found any evidence that the company actually existed.

The spokesman added: "Any reputable guide shouldn't be asking you for your permission to put you down in their publication. We believe there is also a letter being sent around for the Good Take Away Guide, from the same address."

Despite trying to contact Rosenberg Publishing three times the Telegraph & Argus was unable to get a comment from the company.

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