Tourism chiefs in Cumbria are encouraging people to 'tweet' online if they spot a blooming daffodil in the Lake District. Daffodils in Dora's field are usually blooming by mid-March, but this year, the flowers made famous by William Wordsworth, are more than a month late following the long cold winter.

One of the most famous places to see daffodils in Cumbria is Dora's Field in Rydal near Ambleside. The 'Daffs Watch' appeal asks people to use the social networking site Twitter to point to where they are blooming.

Eric Robson, Chairman of Cumbria Tourism, said: "It's virtually unheard of not to have seen a single daffodil in the Lake District by the middle of March. It's an industry of its own with visitors coming here just to see them by the lakesides."

"The upside is that because they are late, it means they should be out and looking their best for the Easter holidays."

Peter Elkington lives at Rydal Mount and Gardens, which is Wordsworth's former home and a visitor attraction open to the public.

Mr Elkington, the curator, said there were plenty of daffodils in Dora's Field but no signs yet of any blooming.

Dora's Field was named after Wordsworth's daughter Dora, who died in 1847. William Wordsworth lived at Rydal Mount for 37 years until his death in April 1850.