FLASH floods and torrential downpours ensured that August was the wettest in Bolton for 92 years.

Nearly 12 inches of rain fell over the town during last month - the most since 1912 when 13 inches fell.

Between 1912 and this year, the highest rainfall was eight inches in 1956.

Umbrellas became a permanent fixture for Boltonians, as it rained 23 days out of the 31 days in August.

During the torrential thunderstorms of August 12 and 13, one and-a-half inches of rain fell on the town in just one hour.

The torrential rain caused traffic chaos for motorists as major motorways became swamped with water and roads across the borough were under several feet of water.

And the eagerly anticipated Bolton Show had to be cancelled at the 11th hour because of the wet weather.

Belmont weather expert Graham Fullarton blamed the treacherous weather conditions on the remains of Hurricane Alex, which came across the Atlantic, hit the UK, and continued to hover over the country.

But Mr Fullarton believes that global warming is also to blame for the extreme weather conditions.

The temperature in Bolton was one and-a-half degrees warmer on average compared to records for previous Augusts. And the hottest day of the month was on August 8 when the temperature sizzled at 26 degrees Celsius.

Mr Fullarton said: "Global warming has definitely caused more extreme weather across the country, including Bolton. In the last ten years it has certainly warmed up across Bolton. Warmer weather makes it more likely for thunderstorms, which is what happened last month.

"We've had a pretty hellish summer, a phenomenal amount of rain has fallen this past month. It's certainly been an unprecedented month in terms of weather."

Some of the worst-hit areas were Egerton and Belmont, where roads were closed and motorists were left stranded in several feet of water.

The water level was so high at one point that the A666 was closed near the Turton and Entwistle reservoir junction after water levels rose almost five feet.

And the situation was just as bad in Belmont and Abbey Village were some drivers were forced to abandon their cars.

Heavy flooding brought the M60 to a standstill last week after it was closed between Northenden and Carrington because of standing water on the carriageway.

But Mr Fullarton is predicting that people will be able to put their umbrellas away during September.

He said: "I'm quite optimistic that it will much drier this month. All the signs are that we will not have as much rain as we did last month.