THE Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, is predicting an exceptional autumn of russet browns, reds and golds.

Trust scientists say the combination of dry sunny days and cool dry nights should bring out the great variety of colours in the nation's trees.

Spokesman Nick Collinson says: "Dry weather concentrates the sugar in the leaves which makes the colour more intense.

"The recent rain means that the leaves should stay on the trees for longer so this should be a perfect autumn for a walk in the woods," he added.

Here in the Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove area, there's any number of woods where you can see this colourful show provided by nature.

For instance there's Pepper, Hagley, Trench, Chaddesley and Randan Woods, just to mention some of the many, and we also have the Lickey Hills and Waseley Country Parks.

Our picture was taken in the small woods on Piper's Hill, near Hanbury, which is also locally known as Dodderhill Common.

Keeping track of Nature's calendar - the timing of the seasons - is part of the Trust's work and carried out by a network of thousands of volunteers across the country, including Worcestershire. Each is making a vital contribution to climate research.