APRIL was the warmest on record in East Lancashire, according to a local weather forecaster.

Huncoat weatherman, Roy Chetham has revealed that last month was the ‘warmest’ and ‘sunniest’ for at least 36 years – when his records first began.

And he said that April could ‘possibly the warmest ever’ with only 27 per cent of the normal rainfall and 79 per cent more sunshine compared to previous years.

But the weather is set to change by the end of the week, according to the Met Office.

Forecasters there predict that today will be bright and sunny with temperatures reaching 16 degrees celsius but by tomorrow and Friday there could be light rain with heavy showers over night.

Heavy rain showers are expected on Saturday and continue over the weekend.

Mr Chetham explained why April had been so warm: “The high pressure on the continental airflow has kept us free of rain.

“This is the pattern that has established over the last two years.

“It has been the warmest and sunniest April for at least 36 years when I started recording the weather.

“All temperatures were dramatically above average, possibly the warmest April ever.

“There has been unusual weather throughout the world with some of the worst tornadoes in US history and floods in Australia.

"The weather is getting more and more extreme and could be an indication of climate change.”

Reservoirs

DESPITE the unusually warm April weather United Utilities said the water levels were ‘healthy’.

Bosses at the company said the rainy weather before the dry spell had left reservoir stocks more than 90 per cent full.

A spokesman for United utilities said: “The reservoirs across the North West are healthy because there was a lot of rain in the run up to the dry spell.

“They are just over 90 per cent full on average so water resource is no issue at the moment.

“There are no plans for an water saving measures such as hose pipe bans.”

Garden centres

A GARDEN centre in the Ribble Valley has experienced ‘unprecedented’ numbers in its 12-year history.

David Shackleton, a partner at Shackletons Garden and Lifestyle Centre, Chatburn, Clitheroe, said: “People have been buying a lot of plants, barbecues, outdoor furniture.

We have sold out of a lot of products but a container of new stock is about to arrive.

“Because it has been sunny and the cool winds we have been watering plants non stop – as soon as all of the plants have been watered we have to start again.

“Our footfall must have trebled for the month of April. It has been the best start to the season, long may it continue!”

Ice cream

MRS Dowsons Ice Cream has seen a surge in sales with at least a 20 per cent increase on last year.

Bosses at the growing business, based in Hawkshaw Farm, off Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale, said April and Easter was usually the busiest time of year for them.

Eric Dowson, a partner at Mrs Dowsons Ice Cream, said sales were on the up, adding: “We are busy selling ice cream for the summer. Easter is traditionally the busiest time of the year because sometimes August can ben a total wash out.”

Huntley’s farm shop up the road from Mrs Dowson’s has also seen a large increase in sales.

There was a 50 per cent increase in ice-cream sales and record-breaking sales at their food hall.

Agriculture

FARMERS In East Lancashire are waiting for rainfall to ensure the grass grows to feed their livestock and crops, according to the National Farmers’ Union.

But the warm spell has been ‘fantastic’ for the lambing season, the group said.

Colin Metcalfe, assistant group of the Clitheroe National Farmers’ Union, said: “The moorland fires in Lancashire are always an issue.

These fires started and disrupt quite a lot of grazing. A lot of farmers are desperate for the rain because the grass is very dry and they need the rain for the grass to grow.

“A lot of animals are on grass but unfortunately the growth has slowed because there has been little rain.

“A large number of farmers are fed by springs but due to the lack of rain they have slowed down or stopped.”

Tourism

VISITORS have been flocking to Lancashire during the warm weather.

Anna Izza, communications executive for Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, said: “April has been a great month for visitors to Lancashire.

“As an indicator, visitors to our own website visitlancashire.com are up 45 per cent compared to the same period last year, with Clitheroe, the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill amongst the most popular destinations.”

Clitheroe visitor information centre officer Stephanie Hibbert added: "The combination of the bank holidays, good weather and celebratory mood created by the Royal wedding have brought day-trippers to Ribble Valley in their droves.”

Lindsay Poole, marketing and communications manager, from Brockholes – Lancashire’s newest nature reserve which opened for the first time over the Easter weekend, said: “Over 5,000 people turned up over Easter to get a taste of Brockholes.”