MAY was the windiest on record in East Lancashire, according to a local weather expert.

Huncoat weatherman Roy Chetham has revealed that last month had the highest amount of windy days for for at least 36 years – when his records first began.

The highest gust recorded was 40mph - which happened twice, on Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 23.

In all, there were 15 ‘windy’ days in May - 10 up from what is considered normal for the time of year.

Mr Chetham said the reason was because of unseasonable depressions over the coast of Ireland and Scotland.

He said: “We had what we normally find in autumn, which is depressions positioning themselves in the Atlantic, creating an almost constant westerly airflow.

“Day after day we were getting these winds, which were gale force on higher ground, and slightly lower in Hyndburn.”

According to the internationally-recognised Beaufort Scale, a strong breeze is classed as between 25–30 mph, a strong wind between 31–38 mph, and a gale as between 39–46 mph.

The depressions in May was also brought in rainclouds, causing a wetter than average month with 119 millimetres of rain- 152 per cent of the norm.

Shaun Robinson of United Utilities said the rain had left the region’s reservoir’s looking ‘pretty healthy’.

He said: “The levels are just currently short of 90 per cent full, which is normal for this time of year.

“Last year, before the hosepipe ban came in, the reservoirs in East Lancashire were about 70 per cent full.

“Unlike down south, where there has been drier weather, the reservoirs in this catchment area are not worrying us.”

Forecasters at the MET Office say that June is likely to be unsettled at the beginning, before becoming sunnier and drier towards July.