THE tiny white flowers of snowdrops are springing up in gardens and churchyards across York and North Yorkshire.

One of the first signs that spring is just around the corner, snowdrops are already carpeting the ground at the historic home of the Archbishop of York, Bishopthorpe Palace, in the village of Bishopthorpe, while in the graveyard of the village church at Welburn more snowdrops have sprung into life.

Meanwhile, in the centre of York the first snowdrop bulbs are flowering in Museum Gardens, providing a welcome indication that warmers climes and lighter nights are on the horizon.