THE easing of restrictions has come just at the right time. Of course, for many the wait has been longer than others and for many more, the long wait to venture outdoors continues.

However, as we enter spring we are seeing signs of life returning to our towns and country. The members of our camera club have been out and about capturing those first signs of the season.

Would you like to join The Northern Echo’s Camera Club? We are inviting photographers to submit their work, to be featured in the Echo and on our website and Facebook pages. More than 2,100 people are signed up as members.

To join them, share photos, or to see pictures from other members, visit facebook.com/groups/echocameraclub.

Spring at Souter Lightouse Picture: IAN MAGGIORE

Spring at Souter Lightouse Picture: IAN MAGGIORE

Spring at Souter Lightouse Picture: IAN MAGGIORE

Signs of spring Picture: MURRAY MCLAREN

Signs of spring Picture: MURRAY MCLAREN

Signs of spring Picture: MURRAY MCLAREN

Horden beach Picture: RAY SMITH

Horden beach Picture: RAY SMITH

Horden beach Picture: RAY SMITH

Fighting over food Picture: STEVE RAINE

Fighting over food Picture: STEVE RAINE

Fighting over food Picture: STEVE RAINE

Yellowhammer Picture: PAUL GALE

Yellowhammer Picture: PAUL GALE

Beautiful yellowhammer Picture: PAUL GALE

Garden visitor Picture: LEE TURNER

Garden visitor Picture: LEE TURNER

Beautiful rainbow colours on this visitor to Lee Turner's garden

Clumber spaniel pup Picture: TONY RAINE

Clumber spaniel pup Picture: TONY RAINE

Clumber spaniel pup. The name of the breed is taken from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire where the breed was first developed Picture: TONY RAINE

Garden robin Picture: PAUL CLEASBY

Garden robin Picture: PAUL CLEASBY

Garden robin Picture: PAUL CLEASBY

Ushaw Chapel edit Picture: BOB GRAHAM.

Ushaw Chapel edit Picture: BOB GRAHAM.

Ushaw Chapel Picture: BOB GRAHAM

Double take Picture: DAVE PEARCE

Double take Picture: DAVE PEARCE

Double take Picture: DAVE PEARCE