NEW Year is only hours away but Gazette reader Christine Shaw has been inspired to think about Spring after capturing this shot of daffodil buds poking through the winter carpet in the Lake District.

Regular tweeter Christine, who goes by the name @cragchris, said: “I love the Lake District and spend my time blogging and tweeting about it."

The daffodils were spotted in the woods at Stockghyll waterfall, a short walk from the centre of Ambleside.

"Daffodils have always been my favourite flowers," explained Chris. 

"They just seem such a sign of promise of better things to come when the weather is grey and miserable.”

Christine works for the National Trust as visitor services assistant at Allan Bank; the new trust property in Grasmere which re-opens for the season on March 18th.

Christine says she started tweeting when it became obvious that local tourist information centres were being cut back.

She said: "It seemed like a great way to promote our area and make myself get out and about exploring while enjoying my hobby of taking photos.

"No fancy camera I'm afraid, just a pocket one which never leaves my side!"

As 2013 dawns, look out for Christine's "daffodil watch" on Twitter which involves a photo every few days so that people know when the "Stockghyll Daffodils" are at the best time to view.

To follow Chris on Twitter, it's @cragchris, and for all things Grasmere it's @grasmerevillage. For National Trust news from Grasmere, it's @NTGrasmereinfo

Don't forget you can follow The Westmorland Gazette on Twitter too - @gazettenewsdesk

Have you seen any signs of Spring yet? Send us your photos to mike.addison@kendal.newsquest.co.uk and mark.harrison@kendal.newsquest.co.uk and we'll try and use them.