Taxpayers' money has paid for the purchase of daffodils so that 527 female inmates at a private prison can celebrate Mothering Sunday tomorrow.

Serial killer Joanna Dennehy, transgender double rapist Jessica Winfield and Becky Watts murderer Shauna Hoare are among the inmates who will be given flowers and a poem.

A memo was sent to prison guards at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford telling staff that prisoners would be handed the gifts at lunchtime tomorrow.

Serial Killer Joanna Dennehy (pictured) is among the prisoners who will receive flowers and a poem tomorrow

The message, published by The Sun, wished 'the very happiest day' to all mothers and grandmothers as well as those expecting or aspiring to become parents.

'As part of our commitment around decency and welfare, Chaplaincy will deliver small bunches of daffodils with a special message from the staff of HMP Bronzefield to every Resident during lunch time patrol state this Sunday 11 March 2018,' it read.

'Please know that whatever you are facing, however tough or dark it may feel, there are people all around you who will walk by your side.

'Like the yellow petals of the daffodil, all you need to do is see them and know your dark moments are behind you and spring is on its way.'

Shauna Hoare - who killed Becky Watts - will receive greetings for Mothering Sunday at the Category A prison

Calling the flowers 'a symbol of new hope and opportunity' the message was signed off 'with love from all the staff at HMP Bronzefield'.

The largest female prison in Europe, the Category A facility also houses Kathryn Smith, who murdered her 21-month-old baby, Ayeeshia.

Mairead Philpott was held in the prison near Heathrow for a fire that killed six children.

Other previous prisoners include Karen Matthews, who attempted an insurance scam by arranging the kidnap of her daughter, Shannon.

John O'Connell, chief executive at the Taxpayers' Alliance, said it was wrong to spend public funds on criminals who have hurt other people.

'Rehabilitation is an important part of the penal system, but one doubts whether this use of money is going to help anybody,' he said.

Joanna Dennehy (pictured) along with hundreds of others will receive a comforting message from prison staff tomorrow

Victim's Rights Campaign director Harry Fletcher - formerly head of the national association of prison officers - branded the move 'a very bizarre gesture'.

The prison houses inmates convicted or murder and arson, with most of the remaining prisoners having severe issues with alcohol, drugs or both.

Mr Fletcher said bunches of flowers were not the answer to solving inmates' 'high degree of mental health issues'.

He argued that though staff were required to keep inmates safe, friendship was not a requirement.

The Ministry of Justice handed Sodexo - the firm that runs the prison - £64,188 per prisoner. The figures, released in 2016, show the total handout was more than £35million.

Conservative MP Philip Davies branded the move 'crass' adding it was ironic and 'perverse' to give this kind of treatment to inmates who had their children taken away from them due to being unfit parents.

A spokeswoman for HMP Bronzefield said: 'As part of our commitment to decency and welfare we will be giving daffodils to prisoners to mark Mothering Sunday.'