BOURNEMOUTH may have been the sunniest place in the country during a record-breaking February, say weather experts.

The region enjoyed a staggering 128 hours of sunshine, making it 64 per cent sunnier than usual for the time of year.

The UK as a whole has basked in 106.1 hours of sunshine this month, beating the previous high of 94.4 hours set in 1970 - making it the sunniest February since records began nearly 70 years ago.

Richard Wild of Bournemouth-based WeatherNet said: "The average for February is 78 hours but this month we got 128 hours which is a 64 per cent increase.

"It was possibly the sunniest place in the country and I would imagine it is definitely up there in the top 20.

"It's also one degree warmer than normal based on the average for February and we have only seen 41 per cent of our normal rainfall.

"In a normal month we receive 62ml of rain and we have only seen 26ml of rain."

However, this does not necessarily mean that our weather is changing, added Richard.

"It doesn't surprise me at all. You can't determine it by one month alone.

"It may be exceptional but you have to average it out over time," he said.

Recently, Dr Nigel Taylor, curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, said he believed that the seasons have shifted so much that spring should be brought forward.

Dr Taylor, who is one of Britain's most eminent gardening experts, says that in his view winter no longer exists in Britain.

He points to the fact that many hardy woody plants are beginning to flower months earlier than they are supposed to.

Back on January 2 the Daily Echo reported that daffodils, rosemary and camellias were out at Compton Acres gardens.

Daffodils continued to bloom all through January and insects such as bumblebees and Red Admiral butterflies were sighted.