LAST month was the driest March in almost four decades in East Lancashire.

Total rainfall during the 31 days was just 21 millimetres, around a fifth of what would be expected.

And forecasters said that the dry weather was set to continue throughout the next month at least.

Roy Chetham, who recorded the figures at his Huncoat weather station said: “It was the driest March for at least 39 years with rainfall just 21 per cent of normal whilst sunshine was 50 per cent above.

“All temperatures well above average, meaning it was the mildest March since 2005.”

He said that there were 18 days in total where there was no rain at all.

A spokesman for the Met Office said April was set to continue to be dry.

He said: “The next few days will be largely dry and often cloudy. The rest of the month will be generally settled and there will be many dry and bright or sunny spells. Later in the month there will be more drier, brighter, warmer conditions but there could be some wetter spells to come late in April.”

The dry March and predictions for a dry April are in direct contrast with the previous month, when East Lancashire experienced its wettest February for a decade, with rainfall double what would normally be expected.

Throughout the month there was more than 7in of rain. Rain was recorded on 25 of the month’s 28 days.

Last year saw a long dry spell from January to June, but it was then followed by a wet summer and autumn. Then came another long period of dry weather during December and January.