Abuse has been hurled at Christine Lathrope and her husband Dennis, of Amity's Florist in Mere Street, Diss, after they painted their shop fluorescent pink to raise money for charity.

"I have had so much abuse," said Mrs Lathrope. "I was shouted at on Monday and Tuesday and I've even been sworn at.

"People have accused me of ruining the historic market town."

The couple decided to paint the shop temporarily after receiving a letter from Diss Town Council about its Clean Up Diss campaign.

It asked businesses to help by cleaning their shop fronts and providing interesting and lively shop window displays.

"I was a bit cross with the letter," said Mrs Lathrope. "It said to improve our window displays, but my girls spend hours doing that."

Diss Town Council clerk Deborah Sarson said the letter was not meant to upset traders. "We are aware that there are shops that make an effort and we realise that Amity's Florist is one of those," she said.

"We just wanted everybody to acknowledge that it takes a combined effort to make a difference."

Two buckets have been placed outside the shop to collect donations for Cancer Research UK.

One is marked Keep It Pink, for those who support the colour change, and the other is labelled See It Go, for people who dislike the vivid shade.

"It brightens things up in the town," said Mrs Lathrope. "It's catching people's eyes."

But Tony Palmer, a South Norfolk district councillor for Diss, said: "While I think everyone would applaud the reasons for drawing attention to their collection for a cancer charity, the shop is a Grade II listed building in a conservation area.

"The district council has asked that the shop be painted an alternative colour, to be agreed with the conservation architect."