This year's damp spring might not have put a smile on everyone's face, but it has created a blooming good display of bluebells at Westonbirt Arboretum.

Moist weather in recent months is said to be behind a spectacular display of the flowers in the ancient Silk Woods at the arboretum.

Global warming means the native wild flower is in decline.

But the damp weather and hundreds of years of active management of woodland at the arboretum has created this year's prolific display, according to curator Simon Toomer.

Mr Toomer said: "Bluebells are rare in the UK and they only occur in particular climatic conditions. We have had a really damp spring this year with very cool and moist conditions.

"However, in the last few years we have had increasingly warm springs, so we have come to expect unusual springs. The Silk Wood has been actively managed since the 13th century. This means that some of the shrub layer is cut every few years and the wood is used for craft making."

Mr Toomer said this style of land management created the perfect conditions for bluebells to flourish.

He added: "We have also got a terrific cover of dandelions, and the wood anemones are out in full. And in matter of weeks, the rare orchids will be appearing."

Westonbirt Arboretum contains around 18,000 tree and shrub specimens.