BOLTON faces hotter weather with more floods, droughts and storms as it heads into the 21st century, concludes an alarming new report.

In the first regional study of its kind in Europe, researchers and experts have joined forces to predict the impact a changing climate will have on everything from business and tourism to building design, agriculture, landscape and conservation.

The report, "Climate Change Impacts in the North West of England", has been produced by a team of academics and researchers and demonstrates that the predicted climate changes will affect everyone who lives or works in the region.

Forecasts for the weather in the North West in 50 years time include:

AVERAGE temperatures will have increased by between 0.8 degrees C and 2 degrees C.

WINTER rainfall will have increased between 6pc and 14pc.

SUMMER rainfall could be reduced by up to 10pc.

MORE frequent storms, higher wind speeds and fewer winter frosts.

Urban areas like Bolton could suffer even greater temperature increases as built up areas act like "heat islands" with buildings reflecting heat and trapping it.

Researchers predict that it could mean greater discomfort for staff having to work in poorly designed, insulated and ventilated buildings and more companies may have to instal air conditioning systems.

"Workers in buildings which are not designed for a warmer future are already experiencing unpleasantly hot working conditions in summer and work-related stress which will worsen in the years to come," states the report.

Street trees will find that they suffer in the more drought prone climate and species more suited to hotter temperatures may have to replace them.

And historic buildings such as Bolton's Smithills Hall, Hall i'th' Wood and Turton Tower will find that they are more susceptible to the changing weather patterns.

"Within buildings, rooms containing sensitive fabrics, paintings or furniture may need new temperature and light controls to allow for warmer conditions and more sunshine," states the report.

"Repair bills for the roofs and fabric of historic buildings may rise as conditions become windier and stormier."

The report also warns of greater flood risk from streams, rivers and sewers, more summer water shortages affecting gardens and parks as well as a bigger risk from contaminated land and toxic waste as rainfall causes old mine workings and industrial areas to flood.

But the changes also have a plus side, with warmer weather bringing more outdoor activities, reduced winter deaths among the elderly, lower heating bills and better diets.

But this too will be offset by greater levels of air pollution, increasing cases of food poisoning and a potential increase in communicable diseases.

The report concludes that more needs to be done to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

"Action must be taken now, within national and international frameworks, to limit future contributions to global warming and to plan effectively for the climatic changes the region faces in the next Millennium," it states.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.