Bluebells are making a comeback in Lincolnshire this spring after being hit by the effects of climate change, aggressive foreign invaders and bulb theft.

Woodlands across the county are expected to blossom following a cool winter which has helped the colourful plants to thrive.

Woodland Trust spokesman Steve Marsh said bluebells seemed to be starting to adapt to climate change.

"Seasonal shifts have resulted in spring getting earlier," he said. "We are expecting a really wonderful year for bluebells this spring, which is really exciting."

But the future of the British bluebell is still by no means secure.

Trust conservation adviser Fran Hitchinson said: "The main threat to bluebells used to be dealers digging up bulbs and selling them, and it is for this reason that bluebells are given greater protection in law and listed on the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

"Now the main threat to bluebells is thought to be hybridisation or cross-breeding with Spanish bluebells which have spread from gardens into the wider countryside.

"It is thought that the Spanish bluebells are moving into woodlands more widely. They are taking space and nutrients from the native bluebells and also cross pollinating with them creating a hybrid bluebell.

"It looks like a mixture of the upright Spanish and the more gracefully drooping native bluebell.

"Controversially, however, it could be argued that in survival terms the hybrid has the edge as more genetic variety is known to help species survive change."

For the full story see Wednesday's Lincolnshire Echo.