0302 - Record number of flowers bloom

 Scientists are amazed at how many flowers there are in the U.K. this winter. In normal years, between 20 and 30 types of flowers and plants are open. On New Year's Day, scientists found 368 different flowers in bloom. Some are five months early. Scientists say this record number is because of climate change. Last year was the warmest year ever in Britain. A scientist told the BBC he was surprised at the number of flowers. He said: "Fifty years ago, people looking for plants in flower at the start of the year found 20 species. This year the total has amazed us."

The scientist said warmer weather and mild winters were changing when flowers open. He said: "We are now in our fourth mild winter….We thought that the snow and hard frosts before Christmas would have finished most flowering…but it seems not to be the case." The most common flowers to open were daisies and dandelions. Britain's weather agency described the change in climate for last year. It said: "All months except August were warmer than average, and this was the warmest year on record for the UK. It was also wetter than average for many locations."