A number of PriceWatch readers have been wondering about the price of roses, having noticed they increase dramatically at this time of year.

"Is this another case of shops cynically ripping us off or is there any justification for the huge increase?" asks one reader.

The price of the romantic's flower of choice certainly does climb in the run-up to Valentine's Day but florists here insist that the higher price can be attributed to increased overheads, as heavy demand on global markets sees every link of the international flower chain raising prices to cover costs.

From the cost of cutting, wrapping and boxing, through to the costs of freight and the local florists' requirement to hire extra staff - many florists will do two weeks' worth of business on February 14th - the price of the simple rose will rise enormously this weekend.

As can be seen from the PriceWatch comparison, there is also a significant difference in the price of a dozen long-stemmed roses in florists around the country. The difference is even more dramatic when one considers that a dozen short-stemmed roses can be bought at supermarket chains and petrol forecourts for under €20.

Maurice Wynne of Dublin's Mad Flowers stands over the price of €125 for a dozen long-stemmed red roses in his shops.

"I'll put my hand on my heart and say that yes, we charge the most for roses, but we are the best," he says. He points out that roses are graded by the length of stem and head size, and that Mad Flowers only buys Grand Prix roses, which he describes as "the highest grade" available . They are bought from a contractor who grows specially for Mad Flowers.

The cheapest roses on the market tend to be imported from Africa and have a very limited vase life, he says.

Many florists around the country are offering special deals this weekend and will include Champagne or chocolates along with a bouquet for a few euro more. Mad Flowers, for instance, will throw in a vase and a bottle of Champagne for an extra €10: certainly worth considering if you're looking for the best value in an extremely inflated market.

People in search of much cheaper roses could visit Dublin City Council's fruit and flowers market off Capel Street, where wholesalers, who pay 7 per cent less VAT, sell individual red roses of varying quality for around €2.50 a stem - no foliage or wrapping included.

Correction: The price of €359.58 given for a Philips 25" television in Strand Electrics in Derry last week was not correct. Strand Electrics does not stock the model in question.