Poppies burst into life marking start of summer

Thousands of red poppies are springing up in fields across the Midlands – a sure sign that summer is here as forecasters predict a drier and sunnier June than normal.

It follows a record-breaking spring as the region saw an average temperature of 56.3 F (13.5C), during March, April and May, the highest since monthly records began in 1659. It was 4.1 F (2.3 C) above the average for the time of year.

And it looks like the sunshine will continue through to next month with rainfall predicted to be below average across many parts of the country.

Plenty of May sunshine has led to colourful displays of the pretty poppy flowers around the region.

Motorists travelling along the A449 between Wolverhampton and Kidderminster have been admiring a red carpet of poppies at Wall Heath. The field at Blackstone Farm, next to the A456 and opposite the Blackstone car park in Bewdley, is owned by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.