EAST Lancashire’s washout summer is likely to have been one of the wettest on record, it has been revealed.

And Huncoat-based weather enthusiast Roy Chetham is convinced the torrential rain will continue, making it the most soaking September since 1984.

Mr Chetham, who has been recording the weather since 1975, said: “The weather changed around St Swithin’s Day, July 14.

“We did have a dry spell from April through to the end of June, but as soon as we got into July it started to rain, and it’s never stopped since.”

He said rainfall was slightly above average in July and August, but as of Wednesday this week 172mm of rain, around 6.75ins, had fallen this month, meaning the record of 7.8ins should be broken by September 30.

And he believes ‘mismanagement’ was behind United Utilities decision to enforce a hosepipe ban for the first time in 16 years.

He said: “We had a wet period up to November last year when water stock should have been kept up.

"But that is not a weather matter, that is poor water management.

“Because we had less rainfall then from January to June we became short, but really that is because they didn't store it properly.

“It’s certainly not the weather’s fault they ran short of water.”

He said this year’s weather patterns could indicate another harsh winter on its way, but historically it is rare that two consecutive severe winters.

Former BBC weatherman John Kettley does not anticipate a harsh winter.

The Clarets fan, who hails from Todmorden, said: “The weather has been very hit and miss. If you look at the last few months in Northern England, temperatures have been about average.

“I was surprised with the hosepipe ban as it was always going to rain in Northern England, particularly around the Pennines.

“The Environment Agency have talked to the MET office and overreacted.

“My feeling was it was not as dry as in 1995.

“Sometimes if you get two cold winters, then then there will be third.

"My hunch is it will be another cold winter but not as bad as last year.

"We may get one or two balmy days but it will be a little bit on the cold side.”