Behold a host of plastic daffodils...

9:24am Friday 16th March 2007

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THERE are few sights as quintessentially Lakeland as a host of golden daffodils but the mild winter has forced one holiday park to seek an alternative to the real thing, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

In an attempt not to disappoint visitors, who expect to see a carpet of the spring blooms immortalised in William Wordsworth's I wandered lonely as a Cloud', the Fallbarrow Park at Bowness has bought in bundles of artificial silk and plastic daffodils.

According to South Lakeland Parks, which owns the site, the mildest winter for 93 years, plus warm, spring-like temperatures, has meant that many daffodils at Fallbarrow and across the Lake District are already in full bloom.

"Our visitors expect to see daffodils by the lake," said Caroline Guffogg of South Lakeland Parks.

"We pride ourselves on customer service and if that means getting an emergency supply in so that they get to see daffodils in the Lake District - so be it."

See Match 16 Westmorland Gazette for full story.