ON Sunday we went to a favourite local wood in search of the wild orchids that flower there during May.

Of course there is more to see than this one species of orchid and we all marvelled at the beauty of nature at this time of year.

On finding the area which we knew was fairly abundant with these shy, fragile plants we stood quietly and surveyed the area who would be first to spot them?

But delight turned to shock as I realised that every orchid flower I could see had been picked and discarded along the woodland path.

I can only guess this was the result of children exploring the area, without their parents who had not educated them with the simple knowledge that any flowers should be left where they are for all to enjoy so that they can multiply and continue.

Besides the fact of course, that picking wildflowers is illegal.