AN annual display of tens of thousands of snowdrops is moving online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Marks Hall Estate has had to temporarily close, meaning that this year's display will move online.

The event, which features hundreds of varieties of snowdrops that carpet the 200-acre Arboretum, would usually draw in crowds in the winter months.

Instead, from Monday (February 8) the team will be staging the first and only Virtual Snowdrop Festival in the region.

Manager Ian Chandler said the flowers are an "especially welcome sight" this year.

The festival will run for two weeks with images and videos across the Estate's social media channels.

Ian said: "The arrival of these hardy white flowers always signals the start of spring for us at the Estate, and this year they are an especially welcome sight.

"We have a large collection of snowdrops, including several rare and unusual varieties not often seen elsewhere, and we wanted to ensure that we shared the experience with our visitors who would normally be walking around the displays right now.

"Whether you’re a veteran Galanthophile, a lover of beautiful botanical photography, or you are simply looking for a little help with home-schooling, there will be something for everyone at Marks Hall Estate’s Virtual Snowdrop Festival."

Visitors will be able to go on virtual walks to experience the sights and sounds as well as blog entries detailing everything about the flowers.

For those who are home schooling, there will also be science worksheets, colouring activities and an at home scavenger hunt.

The Virtual Snowdrop Festival runs from Monday February 8 to Sunday February 21 across Marks Hall Estate’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages and on the website, just search @markshallestate.