FEARS of potential drought conditions developing later this year were aired by North-East university meteorologists yesterday.

It follows record low rainfall recorded last year by Durham University's geography department.

Not only was 2003 the driest recorded since the university began taking rainfall readings in 1852, but it was also the warmest since temperatures were collated in 1850.

Figures compiled at the university observatory revealed that with average temperatures of 9.88-degrees centigrade, 2003 was the warmest calendar year.

Previous annual high temperatures were recorded in 1949m with 9.83C, and 2002 when the average was 9.80C.

A total of 408.88mm of rainfall fell during 2004, 4.5mm less than the previous driest year, 1989.

Professor Tim Burt, of the university's geography department, said: "Only three months recorded rainfall totals above average and the total is a huge 240.2mm below the long-term average for Durham.

"No wonder there are real worries about severe shortages in 2004."

Prof Burt said the autumn figures point to potential drought conditions emerging if the trends continue into this year.

"It is clear, therefore, that we are now in a severe period of drought, exacerbated by the dry autumn," he added.

Despite the low figures, however, it was not the driest 12-month stint, spanning more than one calendar year.

The lowest consecutive 12-monthly total was from August 1904 to July 1905, when a mere 362.55mm of rainfall was recorded.

Prof Burt said last year was also the 12th sunniest on record, with 1,492-hours. But this was 150 fewer than the record of 1989.

He revealed the figures were compiled and assessed despite a fault developing with the rain gauge which was discovered during the dry month of November, the driest since 1956.