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.

Woodlands are being rated from one and five - the best - for the vibrancy of their colours, and the golds and russets of the larch and broadleaf trees have scored a five on the website, which can be found at 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.''