You could be forgiven for thinking the summer season has packed its bags and taken a holiday this year as continuing rain clouds seem destined to leave their dark and damp impression over Hampshire.

As the torrential downpours turn into frequent showers across the region, weather experts are predicting a surprising chill in the air this week as a drop in temperatures makes it feel more like the beginning of autumn than the start of summer.

What began as a promising season for the county with scorching temperatures in April, has since become a nightmare for countryside shows, village fetes or barbecues as the past two months have become a washout.

In the New Forest organisers of the Annual Country Show and Vintage Vehicle Rally were forced to leave Longdown Activity Farm early as heavy rain cancelled the popular event.

The annual Botley Festival was low on numbers despite a few hundred resilient revellers determined to make a success of the event's first year in the soggy village recreation ground.

Torrential rain did not stop the donkeys from battling it out in the 11th annual Donkey Derby in Totton. Organisers were forced to abandon some of the day's races, but two were still able to go ahead.

Weathermen say there is not immediate end in sight.

"It's not going to change anytime soon," said forecaster Chris Almond.

"Weather warnings have been issued in the north and eastern parts of the country and the Southampton area seems to be getting off quite lightly. People will notice a drop in temperature until the end of the week. There will be a chill of around 15C/59F and normal temperatures for this time of year are about 20 or 21C/69.8F," he added.