WE tend to blame global warming for the extremes of weather Britain and Europe has seen this August, yet a quick trip through the bound archives of Berrow's Journal suggests that these spectacular climatic conditions are nothing new for the eighth month of the year.

I've been looking back through the world's oldest surviving newspaper at August 200, 100 and 50 years ago and discover that at each of those times, the month was punctuated by freak storms and dramatic downpours.

For instance, the Berrow's of 1802 recorded that: "On Tuesday, a violent storm of rain fell on the Parish of Abberley, attended by thunder and lightning. A beautiful old oak, containing three tons of timber and gracing the ground of Mrs Blayny, was shattered by a lightning strike in a most dramatic manner.

"A bomb or large quantity of gunpowder lodged in the tree and fired could not have had such a devastating impact.

"Heavy rains accompanied by lightning also fell on Worcester and its environs, causing some damage to houses and temporarily raising the level of the River Severn."

Then, a century ago in 1902, Berrow's Journal quoted its local weather expert as saying the month of August had been one of "gloom with much torrential rain, thunder and lightning".

Fifty years ago too, Berrow's reported on "a deluge of almost tropical violence - the worst storm to hit Worcestershire for at least 30 years.

"Radio programmes went off the air when lightning struck an overhead cable at the BBC Station at Wychbold, and for a time, rain fell in Worcester at the remarkable rate of 2.32 inches an hour.

"Droitwich was one of the worst hit towns suffering power failures and flooding. A 50-yard stretch of Droitwich High Street was flooded to a depth of between two and three feet, and water poured into houses and shops on both sides.

"Firemen worked desperately until the early hours of the morning to pump the water away.

"Mr F. Bourne, barber of 63 High Street was forced to carry several of his older customers on his back out of the rear of his premises at the height of the storm.

"All lights and electricity services in Droitwich were cut for considerable periods, and people in the local cinema joined in community singing until the film programme was restored.

"Electricity and telephone services were also disrupted over a wide area of Worcestershire, and diners at Ombersley hotels found themselves in dining-rooms illuminated by candles.

"A thunderbolt also struck at Dunhampton, setting fire to a long stretch of hedgerow which was destroyed. The thunderbolt also left a large hole in the ground."

Then, of course, came the Linton and Lynmouth flood disaster in that same month, August 1952.

Berrow's explained: "There has been a generous and spontaneous response by Worcester and the county to the national appeal on behalf of the Lynmouth Flood Relief Fund.

"The North Devon coastal beauty spot was devastated by a cloudburst on Friday night, causing millions of pounds worth of damage. Forty-two houses, hotels and cottages were totally destroyed, 17 others will have to be demolished and 20 are seriously damaged, while numerous other houses are in urgent need of repair.

"A vast wall of water rushed from the hilltop carrying people, farm stock, furniture and huge boulders down to the sea. In Lynmouth, 20 persons were killed and many more are missing, presumed dead.

"The relief fund at Worcester was launched with a £25 gift from the Worcestershire County Cricket Supporters Association, and the Guildhall has seen a regular flow of citizens wishing to contribute their cash donations.

"An old lady who spent her honeymoon at Lynmouth was among the first to call at the Guildhall to leave money. Collections are also being organised in local factories and offices and by a wide variety of local organisations."

All these extracts from the Berrow's Journal archives bear testimony to the fact that extremes of weather are certainly not a new phenomenon for August.