SPRING sprung earlier than ever in Worcestershire this year, according to a national television survey which asks people to report the first sign of the season.

The BBC2 programme Springwatch, which is running the survey n conjunction with the Woodland Trust, has received 150,000 First Sightings responses from people around the country.

Spotters were asked to record the first emergence of six key indicators - seven-spot ladybirds, bumblebees, frog-spawn, swifts, hawthorn blossom and peacock butterflies.

In Worcestershire this year, the first sighting of frog-spawn was recorded on March 17.

Springwatch presenter Bill Oddie said large surveys were a good way to gather information about changing natural patterns.

"At a time when our changing climate is making things more unpredictable, our wildlife needs our constant support," he said.

"The survey has shown how important it is for us to get out there in large numbers and to gather accurate information on what's happening in nature at this crucial time of year."

Jill Attenborough, from the Woodland Trust, said the organisation had known for some time spring was arriving earlier, and the survey had made it clearer than ever.

"We mustn't allow ourselves to become complacent and let the change that is occurring slip past unnoticed.

This sort of shift in so few years in incredibly fast - soon nature may not be able to keep up," said Ms Attenborough.

The survey revealed that the first national sighting of a peacock butterfly was on Boxing Day - two weeks earlier than 30 years ago.

Springwatch started on Monday, and will be shown on BBC2 for the next three weeks.