A SPRING show has been postponed by a week because spring has not sprung.Lawford and District Horticultural Society has put off the show where keen gardeners usually exhibit their spring blooms because the unseasonally cold and dry weather has left all but the hardiest of daffodils in tight bud.

By Juliette Maxam

A SPRING show has been postponed by a week because spring has not sprung.

Lawford and District Horticultural Society has put off the show where keen gardeners usually exhibit their spring blooms because the unseasonally cold and dry weather has left all but the hardiest of daffodils in tight bud.

Although the little tete a tete daffodils are now blooming, it has been too cold and dry for the large showy blooms to show their trumpet heads.

However, there is better news ahead and Ken Blowers, EADT weather expert, said the 30-day cold spell ended yesterday when south-westerly winds finally took over from the bitterly cold easterly air stream, which has plagued the region since the middle of February.

Yesterday was the warmest day in the region since November 11 last year, with the temperature hitting 56F (13C). The average for the end of March is 48F (9C).

The spring show was due to be held on April 1, but will now take place on April 8, at the Ogilvie Hall, Lawford. Organisers are hoping one week's postponement will be enough.

Les Way, chairman of Lawford and District Horticultural Society said: “I think it's because there's been no rain. Daffodils need rain. It's also been too cold.

“There's some big buds, so with the right conditions, some good rain and a week of sunshine, I hope we'll be all right.”

Mr Way said it has been many years since the show was postponed due to the lack of flowers.

Brenda Sparling, the show secretary, said: “We're just keeping our fingers crossed the sun will come out and bring them on.”

Spring has come late across the country, affecting spring shows everywhere. The Kew Gardens spring festival started earlier this month, but the majority of flowers are still in bud. Daffodil week at Cotehele House, Cornwall, has been put back a month due to a lack of flowers.

Organisers of the Thriplow daffodil festival, in Cambridgeshire, decided to go ahead with the event this weekend even though there are not many flowers.