AS we enter the last days of what is meteorologically winter, it’s pleasant to look ahead to the warmer times that spring promises.

On Dartmoor winter always seems reluctant to release its grasp, but at the tiny hamlet of Huccaby, straddling the meandering course of the West Dart River, spring has indeed sprung.

The tiny church of St Raphael’s Chapel at Huccaby is famed for its snowdrops, also known as Candlemas Bells.

From mid-January to early March, depending on how harsh the winter has been, the churchyard is covered in a white carpet of thousands of them.

Mid-Devon Advertiser photojournalist Steve Pope ventured up onto Dartmoor last week to capture the myriad of white bell-like flower heads, framed brilliantly against the dark green shades of moss and winter grass.

Built in 1869 by the Rector of Lydford the chapel is the only Anglican one in the country to be dedicated to St Raphael, known as the patron saint of travellers - quite apt seeing the remote location of the chapel.

When it was first constructed Huccaby Church was used as a chapel school for the children of local farmers - the young scholar’s desks are still there today and now used as pews.