FROST may still be on the  ground but the glorious sunshine is proof for many that  spring has finally sprung.

Daffodils are blooming and  lambs are playing in the fields  following the coldest winter for  30 years.

Snowdrops, crocuses and cyclamens are on display at the  National Trust’s property  Killerton in Broadclyst, near  Exeter.

The property’s administrator,  Sarah Graham, said: “Spring  is definitely here and the  flowers are looking lovely.

“On Saturday, March 20, and  Sunday, March 21, there is free  entry to the house and gardens  so more people can come and  see the spring flowers.”

Mrs Graham added that there  had been a noticeable rise in  visitor numbers recently.

She said: “We’ve had more  visitors as the weather’s getting  better and people are coming to  see the spring flowers.

“We have a lot of events coming up and we’re feeling optimistic about the coming tourist season.”

Angela Wright, managing  director at Crealy Great Adventure Park in Clyst St Mary, is  also feeling good about the 2010  tourist season.

She said: “It’s certainly been  tough for the last few years for  many individuals and businesses but we’ve been encouraged with the response from our  guests who come for repeat visits and recommend Crealy to  their friends. We’ve been encouraged by last year and the  winter trade.

“We’re investing £1.6m in attractions and improvements at  the park including the rides,  wildlife experiences and facilities. We begin to open the new  attractions on Saturday, March  27.”

Mrs Wright said she has noticed that people seem to be  going for extra value. She said:  “We’re seeing a flurry of sales in  the annual passes, which are on  sale at last year’s prices until  the end of this month.”

The Met Office expects the  rest of this week to remain dry  and at times bright.

Forecaster Tim Thorne said:  “The temperatures are gradually starting to pick up. There’s  cold air coming but the sunshine will make it feel a lot  warmer.”

However, overnight temperatures in Exeter have dropped  to minus 3C for the past couple  of nights, so the mornings have  been starting off frosty and this  is a set to continue this week.

Have you taken any photographs which capture Exeter  and Devon in the spring? Send  them to us  by email to eephotos@expressandecho.co.uk.