Last month was the dullest August in Britain since records began in 1929, with just 105.5 hours of sunshine over the entire month, officials said today.

That was far below the month's average of 165 hours, the Met Office said, adding that August was also the fifth wettest on record with 139.8 millimetres of rain falling.

September offers a ray of hope for the Brits. Credit:Louie Douvis

But things are looking brighter for the months ahead, said Met Office spokesman John Hammond.

"For autumn we are very much expecting temperatures to be above average and for the season itself to have below average rainfall," he said.

AFP