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2011 named second-warmest year on record

Published: 03 January 2012

Last year proved especially warm for much of the UK, as Met Office figures show that temperatures were the second-highest on record.

Mean temperatures for December were 4.7 degrees C, which is half a degree higher than the average between 1971 and 2000.

John Prior, national climate manager at the Met Office, said: "While it may have felt mild for many so far this December, temperatures overall have been close to what we would expect."

In the year leading up to 28 December, the average temperature stood at 9.62 degrees C, which is a significant change on 2010, which was the 12th-coldest year on record at 7.97 degrees C.

A number of other records were broken throughout the year, as 2011 saw the warmest April and spring, as well as the second-warmest autumn.

Those enjoying caravanning holidays in Gravesend, Kent on 1 October witnessed the highest temperature for a single day during the month, as the mercury hit 29.9 degrees C.