Sussex has had one of the warmest starts to February in 50 years.

Temperatures in the county topped 10C (50F) for the first five days of the month.

Within the space of a week temperatures rose from below freezing to a mild 13C (55F) in Brighton on Wednesday.

Ken Woodhams, The Argus weatherman, said it was the first time he had recorded temperatures above 10C (50F) on consecutive days at the beginning of February since he started collating temperature, rain and sunshine records 50 years ago.

The warmest February temperature he has ever recorded was 14C (57F) on February 24, 1998.

In Kent, a record 18C (64F) was recorded on Wednesday, the highest for that date since 1933.

Rainfall for the beginning of February has been average for the time of year.

Despite the wettest January for three years more rain is still needed to fill the county's reservoirs.

Southern Water said August and September had been the driest period since records began in 1873, leaving water levels extremely low.

Even though many areas are on flood alert, more rain is needed to replenish supplies.

A Southern Water spokesman said: "The reservoirs are recovering well following the very dry autumn last year and most have now reached the average level for this time of year.

"However, groundwater resources are still below average and we need the rainfall to continue to ensure these are refilled as much as possible."