WHERE will the first signs of spring appear?

That's the question being posed to people across York and North Yorkshire by conservation experts, as local wildlife will soon start gearing up for the new season.

As the days start to get longer, birds and animals will be coming out of hibernation or beginning their long migration. Plants will be starting to grow again and the first flowers will appear.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is asking children and adults to keep their eyes open for the signs of spring at home, at school, or out and about in towns and the countryside.

Trust education officer Gordon Scaife said: "We'd like people to look out for six signs of spring - hedgehogs coming out of hibernation, frog spawn in ponds, the first snowdrops, seven spot ladybirds, butterflies on the wing and the first house martins returning. If these are reported to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, we'll be able to record these and see the way spring spreads through the county.

"Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's children's groups, Wildlife Watch, will be doing this but we'd be grateful for anyone to join in. Keep an eye on your garden, the countryside, your local park or the school grounds. Don't wait for all five; get in touch as soon as you see something.

"You can write to us, email spring@yorkshirewt.cix.co.uk or visit our website www.yorkshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk, then click on the Signs of Spring link. Don't forget to tell us where you saw the sign of spring and the date."

Updated: 10:28 Tuesday, January 21, 2003