AS BRITAIN was lashed by the wettest autumn on record, Weymouth faced just a third of the rainfall flood-hit areas suffered.

Weather expert for the area, Bob Poots, revealed the resort has endured far more serious drenchings in the past - with eight wetter autumns braved by the town over the last 74 years.

While parts of the country were deluged with the wettest season for more than 200 years South Dorset appears to have escaped the worst of the storms, say the experts.

From September to November this year, 339.1 millimetres of rain fell in Weymouth - but in 1960 the town was pelted by a massive 499.1 mm.

Dorchester has also seen wetter weather in the past. Although flood alerts in the market town meant some homes had to be evacuated last month, it was only the third wettest autumn there since 1896.

Weather spokesman, John Oliver says more rain fell in the town in the autumns of 1976 and 1960.

Bob Poots added: "Weymouth records show that 1960, 1976, 1974 and 1940 were all far wetter and eight years since 1896 have seen more rainfall in autumn. The average rainfall over the last 50 years for November is 90.9 mm whereas this month the total rainfall was 149.3 mm."

This year's records show rain fell on 24 days over the past three months with 30.4 mm falling on November 5 alone - washing out this year's Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. Rainfall topped the 10mm mark on three other days in autumn.

Bright sunshine was below the monthly average of 97.9 hours for Weymouth - with just 80 hours recorded in the last three months. Dorchester weather expert, John Oliver, said rain fell in the market town on 67 days this year, the average being 45 days, with totals of 20.3 inches compared with 22.65 inches in 1976 and 25.2 inches in 1960, which was the wettest year of the last century.

He added: "The ten day period from October 27 to November 5 was exceptionally wet with rainfall approaching six inches and resulting in localised flooding.

"The wind gusted to 72mph in Dorchester early on November 29 - the highest speed recorded since January 1990 and it was accompanied by hail and thunder. The wettest day was November 5 with 1.83 inches of rain recorded."