Month proves hottest in 100 years

April was the hottest ever recorded at Eskdalemuir Observatory

Temperatures in April hit the highest levels in at least 100 years at a Scottish weather station.

The average reading for the month at the Eskdalemuir Observatory in Dumfriesshire was 9C (48.2F) - the greatest since it opened in 1908.

The previous record was 8.3C (46.9F) in 2003 and the long-term average for the month 5.8C (42.4F).

The month also had the warmest April night on record. The temperature on 25 April fell no lower than 10.6C (51F).

Rainfall was less than half the long-term average at 40mm and the 174 hours of sunshine was 35 hours above average.

It is the latest in a series of weather records set at Eskdalemuir over the past year.

Last July was the hottest month ever and September the warmest on record for that month.