January provided further evidence of warmer winters despite a brief cold snap, according to Ledbury weather-watcher Norman Selkirk.

Mr Selkirk, of Albert Road, said: "Ledbury's weather during January can best be described as very mild, very wet and often very windy.

"Measurable rain fell on 23 days, amounting to 89.2mm, making it the wettest January since 1999, with rain falling every day until the 17th."

Mr Selkirk said the average temperature was 5.7C.

"The much-publicised cold snap had little impact, with just one short-lived snow shower on the 28th," he said. "Even then the maximum temperatures still rose to around 5C. Strong south westerly winds and rain swiftly returned by the 30th, with extremely strong winds on the 31st.

"This day saw the month's highest temperature of 13.3C."