'I wish to register a complaint'

Undelivered flowers were the subject of one complaint

Flowers, lipstick and a horse feature on the list of purchases that have led to complaints by UK consumers to a new helpline.

The bizarre issues are among thousands of cross-border queries dealt with by the UK European Consumer Centre in its first two years of operation.

Timeshares and transport dominate the issues raised by UK consumers about traders across Europe.

Cross-border shopping has increased as the internet has developed.

Products bought over distance should take no longer to deliver than 30 days, unless an alternative delivery date has been arranged.

Goods bought on the internet can be returned within seven working days, for any reason.

Horse trading

One woman sought help from the centre after paying £3,000 for a horse from a Swedish trader, only to find that it suffered from a severe medical condition that meant it should not be ridden.

We know a lot more about UK consumers and their cross-border purchasing problems now Centre manager Jed Mayatt Shoppers' rights 'under threat'

A suitable alternative could not be found and so, after mediation, the horse was returned, the money refunded and hundreds of pounds of damages were paid.

Other cases included a Romanian mother who complained about the quality of a lipstick offered free with a magazine for girls, and a man from Portugal who ordered flowers from a UK trader that never turned up. They were given a replacement or a refund.

"We have certainly had some bizarre complaints in our first two years, but they have all helped us build up an excellent insight into the problems UK consumer are experiencing when buying in Europe and also what problems European consumers are having when shopping in the UK," said centre manager Jed Mayatt.

"We know a lot more about UK consumers and their cross-border purchasing problems now."

The service, which has its UK base in Essex, is funded by the European Commission and the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.