Has spring really sprung?

DESPITE frosty nights, spring seems to have sprung in the Yorkshire Dales in early February after a weekend of soaring temperatures. And experts are beginning to predict that this will be regular feature in coming years as climate change grips.

Although weather experts are predicting a downturn later this week, temperatures in parts of England soared past (17C) 60F in many areas over the weekend, when the average temperature in what - traditionally - is mid-winter when they should be 15F lower on average.

Many plants and bushes like the blackthorn are coming into flower six weeks early and seasonal businesses like B&Bs and ice-cream sellers which did a roaring trade over the weekend are hoping that this will herald an early start to their normal season, which traditionally begins at Easter.

And some scientists are already saying that the official start date for spring, March 21, should be brought forward to March 1.