Hampshire is set for at least another two weeks of summer weather misery, it has been revealed.

Twelve months ago today a heatwave was pushing temperatures in Southampton close to 30C (86F).

Hospital chiefs reported a dramatic increase in cases of sunburn and sunstroke, Hampshire is now preparing itself for lashing rain and strong winds.

But now weather experts are predicting another fortnight of torrential rain to add to a month in which 100 millilitres have already fallen on the city.

Chris Almond from the Met Office blamed the southerly position of the jet stream which normally takes low-pressure weather fronts to the north. He added that it would take a major shift for the current wind and rain to be dislodged.

"Once these patterns are in place they tend to stick around," he added.

The rain and wind has also had a knock-on effect on some aspects of trade in Hampshire.

Last month saw a hundred hours less sunshine than in June 2006 and ice cream sales in Hampshire have been plummeting.

Vincenzo Scappaticci, managing director Vinmar Ices on Portswood Road, said: "It is a struggle at the moment. Takings in June were about 45 per cent lower than for this time last year. We just have to absorb the costs and hope the weather improves."