WORCESTERSHIRE is awash with spectacular displays of Autumn colours as the county enjoys an exceptionally balmy spell.

Vibrant orange, red and gold displays have been the best for some years thanks to a recent series of pleasant days.

Children and parents off for the half term holidays this week have enjoyed temperatures between 16-19C (61-66F), significantly higher than the average 14C (57F) expected for this time of year, and with very little rain. It is a far cry from the same time last year when the county was already experiencing snow, sleet and frost.

The clement weather is due to warm winds blowing from the Canary Islands and the Azores according to Worcester News weatherman Paul Damari.

He said: “August was the time when the weather patterns started to change.

“It dried out and the drier weather has been with us ever since. It’s been warmer than average right through to now. It’s been incredible really.”

He said nights have been particularly mild with figures climbing to 10-15C (50-59F), rather than the typical 7C (45F) for this time of year.

He had further good news for Worcestershire residents, predicting the nice weather would stick around for the weeks ahead.

He said: “Enjoy it while you can. The longer it goes on the more it will shorten the winter.” Gardener Reg Moule said: “It’s been one of the best Autumn colour years for four or five years. Mr Moule said the warmer weather had also kept summer bedding plants out for longer.

He said: “Lots of shrubs are flowering out of sync because they’ve produced growth and it’s matured during the warmer days.

“So they’ve had the chance to produce more flowers.”