St Swithin's Day predicts 40 days of rain for UK

Heavy rain today means the UK will be 'cursed' by 40 days of constant downpours -- if you're inclined to believe 1,000-year-old folklore.

Legend has it the weather on 15th July - also known as St Swithin's Day - predicts what it's going to be like for the next 40 days.

The odd forecast dates back to 15 July 971, when the body of a Saxon Bishop was removed from his preferred burial spot outside Winchester Cathedral.

This coincided with 40 days of continuous storms and from then on the old wives' tale has said rain on the 15th July predicted 40 days of rain.

However, the MET office have dismissed the claim after analysing their records of rainfall… but then again, are they any more believable than a 1,000-year-old myth?