Storms blamed on global warming

Experts say last night's storms could be clear signs of the effects of global warming.

Climate change has been blamed for the increasingly erratic weather patterns being seen around the world.

In Britain, that means milder winters, and warmer, wetter summers with heavier rain storms. Clive Durlton, a national forecaster at the Met Office, said: "These mild winters and violent storms are exactly the signs we would expect to see from global warming."

A recent European Environment Agency report said floods, storms and droughts will become more common. Friends of the Earth's Mike Childs said: "The Prime Minister must convince world leaders that climate change is as big a threat as international terrorism."