AN icy chill may be biting and a flurry of snow falling, but the first signs of spring - and warmer weather - have today reached Suffolk.

AN icy chill may be biting and a flurry of snow falling, but the first signs of spring - and warmer weather - have today reached Suffolk.

This image of a new-born lamb nestling in the leaves in the winter wilderness shows that even in the bitter cold, new life can still thrive.

The arrival of the fluffy lambs are a more familiar sight in February or March.

Nature watchers will now be looking out for the other signs of spring, which officially starts on March 20, including sprouting daffodils, new-born chicks and blossom.

But just before you cast away your winter coat and scarf, weather experts have issued a warning that the chilly temperatures are set to continue to send a shiver through Suffolk.

Forecasters say the season's icy conditions will remain until at least the weekend, leaving people wrapping up warm and snug, while the little lamb braves the cold of the county's countryside.

Richard Storer, who runs the Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, said it was not unusual for lambs to be born throughout the year, but many farmers preferred them to come at the beginning of spring.

He said: “When lambs are born depends of the breed and other factors, like when the ram has been put with the ewes. It can happen at any time of year.

“You can try to get your lambs to be born when the weather is fairly reasonable and there is grass for them to eat.

“We are not expecting our lambs until mid-February.

“Everything is going well. All the ewes have been scanned and they are being fed according to the number of lambs they are going to have.”

Last month, The Evening Star featured Michael Haggar's daffodils which had started to grow in mid winter.

Have you seen the first signs of spring? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.