‘The Met Office’s ‘pitiful’ forecasts were under fire last night after it was revealed it told councils in November to expect ‘drier than usual’ conditions this winter.

In the worst weather prediction since Michael Fish reassured the nation in October 1987 that there was no hurricane on the way, forecasters said the Somerset Levels – still under water after more than two months of flooding – and the rest of the West Country would be especially dry.

Last night, it was confirmed the UK had instead suffered the wettest winter since records began.’

Read more: Could Met Office have been more wrong? Just before floods, secret report told councils: Winter will be 'drier than normal' – especially in West Country