Parts of England and Wales have recorded their driest November-March in 30 years, meteorologists said yesterday.

　　The meteorological Office in London said the southern English county of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight off the English coast received just 58 percent of their normal rainfall for the period. Some parts of central and southern England received around 60 percent of their usual rainfall.

　　By contrast, Scotland had higher than average rainfall over the November to March period, the Met Office said.

　　And this April 2005 was generally wetter than average.

　　Met office spokesman Wayne Elliott said the changes were normal and not the result of climate change caused by global warming. "It is just the variability of the weather," he said.

　　From november to March, England recorded an average of 324.4 millimeters of rainfall, its driest year since 1975-1976, when 260.5 millimeters were recorded.

　　(The Associated Press)