During a cold and hard winter, the picturesque Norfolk snowdrop can never fail to lift people's spirits with its sign that spring is not far away.
And as people enjoyed the annual snowdrop events in Walsingham, Langmere and Thorpe Market, they were greeted with the news that there are even more varieties than usual this year – a sure sign that spring is arriving sooner than might have been anticipated.
Ben Potterton, who organised the annual snowdrop day at Blacksmiths Cottage Nurseries in Langmere, near Dickleburgh, said the mild start to 2014 had resulted in an unprecedented number of flowering snowdrops.
'There are far more varieties this year and we have got a third of our collection in full flower,' he said. 'It shows that we are well ahead this year and things are moving earlier.'
About 110 people headed to Walsingham Abbey for the first day of the season of its snowdrop walks.
Elizabeth Meath Baker, who lives at the abbey, said: 'It was a beautiful day and for the first day of the season we were very lucky to have a beautiful, clear, sunny day after all the rain we've had recently. It brought a lot of people out and long may it continue and we look forward to the rest of the month.
'There are just carpets and carpets of snowdrops and because they are extremely close, they are very dense and it looks like snow – it's beautiful.'
The abbey will once again host its charity snowdrop day this month. This year's event will be held on Saturday, February 15 and will be in aid of the Norfolk Hospice.
Snowdrops in the churchyard at Thorpe Market are a regular fundraiser for St Margaret's Church.
The bulbs are in flower both in the main churchyard and the Hazel Grove green burial site.
The event held for the past 10 years is run each Sunday in February. It is free but generates cash for the church maintenance fund through sales of cakes, hot drinks and bric-a-brac.
Have you spotted any early signs of spring? Email your photos to newsdesk@archant.co.uk
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