UK experiences its second warmest winter

The average temperature over the past three winter months was the second highest ever recorded in the UK.

The mean temperature for the whole country was 5.47C, slightly lower than the record breaking winter of 1988/89 when the thermometer averaged at 5.82C between December 1 and February 28.

The south of England experienced its mildest ever winter this year, with an average temperature of 6.53C, marginally higher than the previous record of 6.49C set in 1989/90.

Accurate records of winter temperatures were first taken by the Met Office in 1914.

Sam Bond