WALKERS made the most of the long bank holiday weekend with a trip to West Woods to admire the carpets of bluebells on Sunday.

Every year the club opens areas of West Woods, near Manton, not usually accessible to the public in cars so visitors can enjoy the bluebells from the comfort of their vehicles.

Bluebells only bloom for a couple of weeks in late spring and this year the fragrant bell-shaped flowers have bloom a couple of weeks earlier than usual after the mildest February in nearly a decade and the driest March for 40 years.

Stephen Ashwood of the Marlborough Lions, said: “It was a bit soggy but the bluebells were lovely.

“We had a fair few people driving in and having a look but not many stopped in the car park to have tea and cake because of the wet weather.

“All we need this weekend is the sunny weather to attract people.”

As is tradition, gated areas of the woods will be open for a second day this Sunday between 10 am and 6pm to raise more money for the Lions Club charities.