Last decade 'the hottest on record'

Nine out of 10 of the hottest years on record occurred in the past decade, scientists revealed today.

And despite the washout at Wimbledon and the dramatic floods at Boscastle, 2004 is set to be ranked the fourth hottest since 1861.

The findings, compiled by the Meteorological Office and the University of East Anglia for the World Meteorological Organisation, bolster claims that humans are the cause.

The only year not to make it into the top 10 was 1996.

Professor Phil Jones said the figures were “truly remarkable”, adding: “It is likely to continue unless we get to grips with the Kyoto agreement and go further than that.”

For England alone, 2004 will be the fifth warmest in the Central England Temperature series, which dates from 1659.

The average temperature for the 30 years to 1990 was 9.47C but in 2004 it was 1.08C higher.

Chief Greenpeace scientist Doug Parr said: “We’ve had enough warnings. Global warming is killing thousands of people every year.”