A TEAM of nearly 40 people pulled out all the stops to plant more than 25,000 bulbs in just two days.

The remarkable feat was achieved at the Yorkshire Arboretum, near Castle Howard, to ensure it will be swathed in colour next year.

Arboretum director John Grimshaw said: “Planting 25,000 bulbs in two days is an amazing achievement and we’re very grateful to all the volunteers and staff who gave of their time.

“I’m looking forward already to next spring when we’ll see the first results of all this hard work”

A wide range of bulbs was planted to give a long display season including bright crocuses and daffodils for splashes of early spring colour, and camassias and rich purple alliums to ensure plenty of summer flowers.

The Yorkshire Arboretum and Ray Wood are gardens of the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust, an independent charity established to maintain and protect these unique collections.

Founded in 1997 as a partnership between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Castle Howard, the trust’s patron is the Prince of Wales.

For more details about the arboretum visit the website yorkshirearboretum.org