WEATHER experts were expected to confirm this October as the warmest since records began, almost 350 years ago.

The news comes as Worcester people prepare to mark the anniversary of flooding which brought chaos to the city.

A year ago today, Worcester was bracing itself for the worst floods in more than 50 years.

Homes upstream at Bewdley were already under water as the River Severn burst its banks following a weekend of storms across Britain.

On October 31 last year, the Evening News reported that flood levels in Worcestershire could reach a 40-year high.

Predicted

In contrast, today - a year on - flowers are still blooming and the river is within its banks.

Evening News weather expert Paul Damari said the month had been the warmest he had recorded since 1968.

"The average October temperature should be 10.5C for this area, but the average temperature this month has been 13.6C."

The unusually high figures are due to warmer than average air from the South Atlantic.

But, despite the warm weather, Worcester has seen rainfall has been above average this month.

But the weatherman has predicted a respite from the floods this year because there has not been enough rainfall to over-saturate the ground.

See tomorrow's Evening News for a look back at last year's floods.