MAY-JULY WETTEST MONTHS ON RECORD IN UK

27 July 2007

Britain is braced for more heavy rain, compounding the effects of what is now the wettest early summer on record.

Figures from the Met Office show that the period from May to July of this year, which has seen the worst flooding in modern times, was the wettest since records began in 1766 - even before the month is over.

There are also fears that subsiding waters could leave a legacy of disease.

Forecasters warned that spells of heavy rain were again on the way - including in areas already suffering the effects of the floods.

The Met Office figures show that 387.6mm of rain have already fallen across England and Wales.

The extreme rainfall in June - where 103.1mm of rain fell at Fylingdales in North Yorkshire in a 24 hour period between June 24 and 25 - was followed by a similar deluge in July when Pershore College in Worcestershire saw 120.8mm of rain fall on July 20.

Meanwhile, the Queen has made a donation to the British Red Cross's National Floods Appeal.

The charity set up the fund to help people affected by the recent flooding which has generated havoc across Gloucestershire and other areas.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "The Queen has made a donation from her private funds because of the devastation caused by the floods."

The appeal, which started on Tuesday, has already raised more than £500,000. The money will be used to help people facing hardship in the wake of the flooding, as well as to support local recovery activities and community groups.