Im in the UK and found a recipe for buttercream and it calls for something called crisco , we dont have that here what can I use in its place ? And is lard anything like this crisco stuff ? ta

NO, lard is not a substitute for shortening. Shortening is vegetable based and has no taste in particular.

Do you have any ideas what it would be that I might use in its place ?

Butter works well, just substitute the same amount. It holds up really well this time of year.

Thanks everyone for your help on this ... ta

I believe shortening is called Trex in the UK.

Thanks will have a look for that