THE owners of a North Yorkshire florist shop which was devastated by fire are appealing for customers to come forward - because their flower order book was destroyed in the blaze.

Dale's florists was gutted by fire last Thursday as flames ripped through the Wheelgate building.

But staff are already back in business in temporary premises in the former White Rose Books store, up the street.

Owner Sue Dale said: "We are pleading with customers to replace their orders - we will do our best to make everything OK.

"But we need people to tell us because the order book has gone up in smoke."

Mrs Dale said the whole family had been overwhelmed at the support they had received.

"We have had so many letters of condolence and phone calls, and so much help from everyone," she said. We just want to thank everyone so much."

"The business is us and we are here to carry on - we will just do that."

Building surveyors for Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estates, which owns 42 Wheelgate and lets it to Dazzles giftshop and Thorpe and Co solicitors, were due at the site today to assess the damage.

Updated: 11:33 Wednesday, November 06, 2002