It’s official: This was wettest June ever

While the last completely dry day was on Tuesday, June 26, the month has been far from a total washout, with no rain falling in the first 12 days.

Worcester's weather expert Paul Damari, who has been keeping records for 40 years, said: "May and June has been the wettest period I have recorded in my 40 years of keeping record books.

"It has been these intense thundery downpours that have given us this high average rainfall."

He said both May and June started with two weeks of dry weather, which was then followed by concentrated periods of heavy downpours.

"We have had some dry days in between but we had some heavy thundery weather, which has given a lot of rain," he said.

May saw 113.2mm (4in) of rain fall in Worcester, compared to the average of 49.6mm (2in). This is nearly 2.3 times higher than the average.

However, in June, 150.2mm (6in) of rain fell in the city. This was 2.6 times the average of 57mm (2in).

He said the ground was able to absorb the rainfall in May but it was already saturated by the time the June downpours arrived and this resulted in the flooding.

Average temperatures for May and June were up by just over one degree celsius, he added.

England has also experienced its dullest June for nine years with just 156.6 hours of sunshine - 84 per cent of the average in recent years.

Mr Damari explained that one of the reasons for this year's weather patterns was the location of the Jet Stream which is further south than usual at this time of the year.

But he said it could all change very quickly and the earlier forecasts of a long hot summer could materialise. "It was like this in 2003 when it was very dabbly at first and then we had fine weather throughout July, August and into the autumn.

"We have to wait and see what happens. I am a believer that mother nature does balance the books.

"The weather is coming in phases. It is all good fun and it is so interesting.

"I enjoy all weathers. I would not like to be in a country where the weather was always the same."

Help is at hand to clear the debrisVICTIMS of the recent floods have been offered help clearing waste and debris from their homes.

Waste management company Hippowaste is donating its flexible bags, which are an alternative to skips, plus free collections to help the clean-up operation.

James Bennett, chief executive of the company, said: "By assisting those affected, we hope to help with the clear-up task and ease the ordeal of the recent extreme weather. Our bags can hold up to 1.5 tonnes of waste, including old carpets, furniture and bulky waste items, and can be positioned close to where the waste needs to be removed."

Anyone who wants more information can call the firm on 08708 802430.

The company also runs a community grants scheme, which awards free waste disposal to charities, schools and community groups undertaking projects involving an element of waste disposal.

Applications for the scheme are also welcome from those affected by the floods or anyone who is involved in the clear-up operation.

People who want to find out more about the scheme can log on to www.grantsupfor grabs.co.uk Meanwhile, county businesses affected by flooding can apply for a share of a half-million pound fund to get them back on their feet.

The Federation of Small Businesses has announced £500,000 is available for short-term interest- free loans of up to £5,000 to any FSB member who is suffering severe trading hardship because of the recent floods.

John Wright, national chairman, said: "I have been as horrified as the rest of the country at the extent of the devastation from the recent flooding across the country.

"The FSB, as the UK's largest business organisation, is determined to help our members get back on their feet as soon as possible following this disruption."

Any FSB member in Worcestershire who wants to apply for a loan can call 01386 750032 or e-mail angela.

smith@fsb.org.uk.

The FSB is Britain's biggest business organisation, with more than 205,000 members across the country.