Climate change means rain is returning to previously drought-stricken areas of Africa exactly 30 years since Live Aid raised £150million to help starving people there, a new study has revealed.

A severe lack of rainfall during the 1970s and 80s led to a persistent drought and famine, killing more than 100,00 people in countries such as Ethiopia.

The crisis prompted singers Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to organise the Live Aid concerts in July 1985 to raise cash for the relief fund.

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Severe drought in the Sahel area of Africa in the 1970s and 80s caused widespread famine leading to the deaths of 100,000 people

The heartbreaking images of the suffering in Ethiopia came to the attention of public after they were broadcast on the BBC

But now research by scientists at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading, has shown how increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which have caused climate change, have triggered a return of crucial seasonal rains to the Sahel region.

The researchers used a supercomputer climate simulator to study different influences on North African rainfall.

And when they examined the increases in rainfall since the 1980s, they found around three-quarters of the additional rain was caused by rising greenhouse gas concentrations.

Professor Rowan Sutton, who led the research published in the journal Nature Climate Change, said: 'Scientists often study how greenhouse gas levels in the future will influence the climate.

'These findings show how even the greenhouse gases already emitted by humans, while only a fraction of those projected for the future, have nevertheless affected rainfall on a continental scale.

Researchers from the University of Reading studied changes in summer rainfall across the region due to factors such as sea temperatures (a), greenhouse gases and aerosols, (b) and greenhouse gases alone (c)

A weather chart showing how average rainfall in the Sahel was very low in the 1980s but is now increasing thanks to global warming

'This shows how climate change can hit specific countries and regions in a much more complicated way than the simple idea of "global warming" might suggest.

'In particular, we are beginning to discover how climate change is influencing rainfall patterns. What we are learning shows that human activity is already having a major impact.'

But despite the beneficial impact of global warming on Africa, the scientists have warned that the long term impacts will be very differenct as greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere.

It comes as the latest UN assessement of climate change impacts, shows Africa will face increased risk from heatwaves, sea level rises, flooding and drought, leading to potential crop failures, water shortages and disease.

Professor Sutton added: 'These positive short-term impacts were accidental. No-one was trying to bring them about.

'Nevertheless, such major changes show that by continuing to emit greenhouse gases, we are seriously upsetting a natural system that we don’t even fully understand, and this system is our home.

Live Aid organiser Sir Bob Geldof sings at the Live Aid concert in London alongside Bono from U2. The shows raised £150million

The Live Aid concerts took place at Wembley Stadium, pictured, and in Philapdelphia simultaneously to raise money to help the famine relief effort in Ethiopia

'Our new study shows that our activities are not just causing problems for future generations. They are causing major changes now.

'Continuing on the current path of greenhouse gas emissions will lead to more serious and widespread impacts.

'I trust the governments meeting later this year in Paris will appreciate the gravity of this message.'

The Live Aid concerts came after a series of BBC news reports in 1984 by Michael Buerk showed heartbreaking footage of children in Ethiopia suffering from severe malnutrition due to famine brought on by drought.

It then inspired a public campaign which culminated in millions of pounds being released through Band Aid's single Do They Know It's Christmas? later that year.

On July 13, 1985 the Live Aid concerts to raise money for victims of the drought took place simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.