The warm weather is set to bring about an explosion of blossom as trees finally seize the chance to flower, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said.

After being held back by cold conditions, fruit trees such as apples will produce an "absolutely glorious" display as they race to catch up as day and night temperatures rise, the gardening experts said.

Guy Barter, chief horticulturist for the RHS, said: "Plants have no option but to take whatever temperatures the environment throws at them. They've been unable to do much with the cold weather, especially the cold nights.

"Things were running ahead in January and February, then we had a prolonged spell of cold weather and things were in suspended animation."

But now, plants are benefiting from warm nights of above 10C as well as warmer days, he said.

Cherry and pear trees which have been gradually opening their flowers will be finished flowering quite quickly with the rising temperatures, but the warm conditions mean a good proportion will be pollinated and the young fruits protected from frost.

Apple trees, which should have flowered last week, will do so "within the next week or so", with glorious displays at spots such as RHS Wisley, Mr Barter said.

"That's all good, because by the time they've finished flowering and pollinating, the risk of damaging frost is very low indeed."

The warm weather will also encourage more insects, such as honeybees and hoverflies, to join the ranks of bumblebees, which are better able to cope with cold temperatures, to pollinate the fruit blossoms, he said.

As the weather warms, Mr Barter said: "Everything is beginning to come out in terms of spring flowers."