IT felt a lot like spring at the weekend.

The sun was out, the temperatures rose and most people got a chance to enjoy exactly what Dorset and the New Forest has to offer.

Families were able to get out and about without heavy coats and brollies for the first time in months.

But as work begins today on maintaining sea defences at Whitecliff in Poole, we are reminded that although we are hopefully heading for better weather as the year progresses, the damage caused by the winter storms not so very long ago is still very much with us.