WEATHER-weary Boltonians have been pouring cold water on this summer.

The topic of many a conversation, everyone seems to agree -- we haven't had a summer this year. There has been rain and cloud aplenty -- yet precious little sunshine.

But what is the official opinion from the meteorologists?

"Our perception of summer weather has gone up over the years -- but it hasn't been that bad," said the weather expert from the Press Association, Michael Dukes.

He explained that it's mainly the lack of sunshine which makes people feel there hasn't been a summer. Simply waking up and there not being blue skies is enough for most people to despair.

In reality, rainfall is "slightly below average" and temperatures are "around average", he said.

The only problem is that sunshine is down 10 to 15 per cent -- making "dullness" the name of the game this summer.

This depressing picture is due to the amount of cloud around, brought over by Atlantic weather systems. What we need instead is some high pressure to ensure things brighten up.

And it's not too late for that, as the weather is set to improve this weekend, according to forecasts.

Also, there's still plenty of time for the summer to get into full swing -- as the season lasts "well into September", said Michael.

He added that, in the meantime, Eastern Europe is the place "where our summer has gone."

The meteorologist explained that in these days of global warming, it's often the case that when we have "bad" weather here, it's sweltering elsewhere in Europe.

This summer, Greece was a true hot spot with temperatures of 110F. But, who knows, the roles could be reversed next year.

Harold Farrell, Hall i'th' Wood custodian and the man in charge of the weather station at Smithills Hall, has mixed feelings about this summer. He has been working with the weather for 12 years, taking daily readings at the climatological station in the hall grounds.

Harold checks four thermometers for the minimum and maximum temperatures over 24 hours, reads the 24-hour rain gauge, checks the wind direction and speed, visibility and current weather situation and he keeps the weather diary.

At the end of the month, this data is sent to the Met Office.

"The weather has been pretty wet really. But it's a difficult one," he pondered.

"Sometimes you think it has been abysmal and sometimes, when you look at it, it hasn't been that bad."

Overall, we've only had three weeks of "decent weather" this summer, Harold recalled.

"The rest hasn't been too good," he said. "But there's nothing we can do about it. We could have a nice September -- we live in hope!"