FORECASTERS are predicting this Hallowe’en could be the hottest on record, with temperatures rising to 21 degrees in some areas.

This year’s autumn has been especially mild and dry; and it’s not just us humans who’ve noticed the unseasonable warmth.

Experts believe that Lancashire’s wildlife will thrive next year as the mild autumn gives animals a better chance of preparing for the long winter.

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Alan Wright, from Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s really good news for hedgehogs, bats, badgers, foxes and squirrels. “You may have noticed a lot of squirrels at the minute; they like to eat as much as possible and get fat for winter so it’s been terrific for them to have a good feed.

“Birds are also benefiting. There is still a lot of food on the ground for them, but we would still urge people to leave food out for them.”

Alan also said he expected the number of kingfishers to rise next year because of the warmer climate. Numbers of the brightly coloured bird were in decline, but have been boosted over the last two years.

And fruit growers are also enjoying a bumper crop this year due to the fine and dry autumn months.

More than 60,000 tonnes of strawberries have been produced so far this year – eight per cent more than 2013 – and thanks to the increasing use of glasshouses, the season is expected to continue into early December.

Ian Higson, from Towneley Garden Centre in Burnley, said: “The season has been greatly extended. There’s been warm, dry days and cooler evenings; which is just perfect.”

After a cold start yesterday, England is now expected to see temper-atures picking back up tomorrow and peaking on Friday. Potential highs of up to 21C in Central London will be 9C warmer than Istanbul.