AUTUMN - season of mists and mellow fruitfulness (to quote John Keats) - has arrived at Guisborough Forest.

In fact, the changing colours of the leaves have given the 1,000-acre beauty spot top ratings in a national beauty chart.

The Forestry Commission has created a website to track the most vivid autumn colours around the UK, with woodlands being rated from one up to five for the vibrancy of their colours. The golds and russets of the larch and broadleaf trees in Guisborough Forest have scored a five on the website, which can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/autumn_colours

District Forester Peter Green said: "All the signs are that 2000 is going to be a fantastic year. A fairly mild spring and summer, with reasonably even rainfall and no drought, maximises the chances of vibrant colours.