Ledbury weather-watcher Warren Chalk said September was the coolest and driest for 15 years.

Mr Chalk, of Lower Road, attributed this to the northerly airflow that dominated for most of the month.

He said: "The rainfall of only 0.8 inches included a third of an inch on the 30th.

"Although the average temperature of 13.6C was below par, September was frost free. Skies were generally overcast.

Mr Chalk said that a change to southerly winds produced glorious sunshine on the 28th and 29th, with a balmy high of 24C.