THE effects of the warmest May on record have began to show across East Lancashire, as can been seen in pictures of Wayoh Reservoir in Edgworth taken by reader Phil Taylor.

The water level has dipped after prolonged dry weather punctuated only by a brief shower or cloudburst in some parts, although water bosses have not reported any shortages so far.

A record-breaking amount of sunshine was recorded during the month of May, with over 245 hours in total measured across the country.

The Met Office also predicted that the month was the warmest May recorded in the UK, with average daily temperatures of 17 degrees.

Tim Legg, of the Met Office’s National Climate Information Centre, said: “Increased sunshine during the month has helped to keep daytime temperatures high, leading to it provisionally being the warmest May since records began in 1910. It is also likely to be the sunniest May since 1929 too."

Meanwhile rainfall across the UK for May reached less than two thirds (64%) of the level anticipated during an average May.

Tim Legg said: “With 1 June being the first day of meteorological summer, we are at last able to look at the statistics for a very dynamic spring with many fluctuations. People’s impressions of spring may well be coloured by their personal weather memories, from coping with freezing conditions to enjoying a hot spell in April."