One of Britain’s rarest orchids, early spider orchids are in bloom at Samphire Hoe.

“Now is the time to visit the Hoe and see these small beautiful flowers,” said Paul Holt from the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership.

“The Hoe is becoming well known for its early spiders with people travelling hundreds of miles to come and see them. They are a fascinating plant that relies on sexual deception for pollination.

“The flowers give off the scent of a small type of female bee called an andrena. The male bees land on the flower and think they are mating with a female bee but are in fact just an agent of pollination!”

On Monday at 2pm there is a guided walk to discover the orchids. People should meet at the office at the Hoe.

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