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Wiltshire in pictures: Crocuses and a tiny newt

Ben Marvell & Sophie Parker
BBC West Online
WeatherWatchers/snaphappydave A bright winter's morning with a copper beech tree with branches askew in the mid-ground, purple crocuses scattered in the foreground and other trees, grass and a rickety wooden fence in the background WeatherWatchers/snaphappydave
An impressive copper beech tree is surrounded by purple crocuses

The crocuses have sprung up in Wiltshire in a week that has also seen a visit from the Queen and an auction of items belonging to sports broadcasting legend David Coleman.

Despite a rather wet mid-week, photographers have been out and about capturing scenes of buds and blooms.

One of those was Snaphappydave from Salisbury, who spotted a copper beech tree with a cluster of crocuses at its base.

The mix of rain and sun produced rainbows in the county too – if you were in Melksham or Chippenham on Tuesday, you may have seen one around the A350.

A double rainbow in a mostly grey sky, some blue peaking through on the left. They sit above an office building with some trees in front.

Seeing double: A rainbow arcs above an office block – a much-deserved treat after the downpours during the week.

Wiltshire Police A ginger-haired woman in a police uniform chats with a woman with blonde hair (the Queen) with others looking on and picture frames in the background.Wiltshire Police

Royal visit: The Queen visited Wiltshire Police on Monday to hear about the force's work to tackle violence against women and girls. She met Catherine Roper, the Chief Constable, and other dignitaries.

A canal and lock gates stretch into the distance with a canal, grass verges and trees on either side.

Keep it clean: The Canal & River Trust, who manage the Caen Hill Locks near Devizes, are looking for more Wiltshire volunteers. There are currently 60 volunteer lock-keepers, but the trust is looking for more helpers to test the water, keep the towpath tidy and welcome visitors at the floating museum and information centre.

Two magazines lie open, showing pictures of footballers in black and white from the mid-20th century.

Glimpse back in time: These magazines, which belonged to sports broadcasting legend David Coleman, were among the items of his being sold at RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett. The collection included his personal typewriter, his OBE certificate and production notes from successive Grand Nationals.

RIBA A split-level modernist house built into a bank with two visible wings at a right angle to each other with a garden and grass in the foreground RIBA

Modern marvel: This house in Alderbury, near Salisbury, is in the running for an architecture award. Ferry House was nominated in the South West and Wessex category for the Royal Institute of British Architects prize.

Close-up of a pair of hands with a small lizard-like creature in them that appears to be damp and is dark green in colour.

Warts going on: The BBC went out with the Warminster toad patrol this week. The group, which also spotted newts, recently closed a road crossed by toads for a few weeks overnight.

Getty Images Several people holding glasses of bubbly peer at a glass case with a small open book inside. Getty Images

Medieval treasure: A nearly 800-year-old bible has gone on display at Salisbury Cathedral. It was created by an artist known only as the Sarum Master and is illustrated with tiny, intricate designs.

Getty Images A group of male soldiers in berets and camouflage uniform march along a road. Getty Images

Step in line: Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh, are on parade in Tidworth as they commemorate St David's Day.

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