THE first signs of spring have already started to appear across East Cambridgeshire.

Blossom has formed on trees in Cherry Hill Park in Ely and snowdrops are beginning to flower in gardens across the district, weeks ahead of when they would normally be expected to appear.

The early appearance has been put down to the mild winter, with November and December, in particular, producing above average temperatures.

Gerald Rolfe, of the Ely Horticultural Society, said: “The last few weeks have been a bit up and down from a temperature point of view, it’s pretty much typical winter weather.

“From past experience snow drops are more typically seen at the end of January and I have one or two trees in blossom in my garden but this sort of thing does happen.”

The National Trust said fields were very green in comparison to last year, when they had suffered extensive frost damage, and the signs of spring were already emerging.

National Trust conservation adviser Matthew Oates said: “After two cold winters, we’ve reverted back to the modern trend of mild, wet winters.”