BRITISH bluebells are under threat.

That’s the warning from the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.

The Woodland Trust claims the invasion of the Spanish bluebell is putting the future of our native species at risk after a study by charity Plantlife found that most bluebells in urban areas are hybrid versions.

Daily Echo Camera Club members have been out and about photographing the distinctive flowers and we’ve put together some of our favourites – but can you spot which are of the native British bluebell?

According to the Woodland Trust, the native breed can be identified by their deep violet-blue colour (although a genetic mutation can occasionally cause white flowers), the flower stem droops distinctly to one side, almost all of the flowers are on one side of the stem.

The flowers are also a narrow, straight-sided bell with parallel sides and the petal tips curl back. They also have a strong, sweet scent.

  • We’ll be putting together some of our favourite photos from the weekend in bank holiday Monday’s paper. To send us your photo, visit facebook.com/groups/decameraclub.