Bookmakers have slashed their odds on it being the warmest Christmas Day ever.

Yestrday was the equal mildest winter solstice since records began, with the 16.1C (61F) recorded at Writtle in Essex - matching the record set at Hoylake on December 22 1910.

But forecasters believe temperatures on Friday may peak at around 13C (55F), more than 2C below the record.

Gales of up to 70mph and rain squalls will batter Britain in the run up to December 25 as Storm Eva sweeps in to lash western reaches tonight and into Christmas Eve.

The bad weather has prompted weather warnings from the Met Office and fears of further flooding in the North, as well as concerns about effects on transport and communication links.

And while temperatures will fall slightly in the coming days, in the majority of areas it will remain far from cool, with temperatures still in double figures - dashing hopes for a white Christmas as forecasters predict a grey, wet and windy day for most of the UK.

The Met Office said: "After the mild, unsettled start to December it looks likely that this theme will continue through until the end of the year with some spells of windy, wet weather but also drier, brighter periods with some showers.

"Although temperatures will remain above average, there will be some cooler days and nights with wintry showers possible over hills and mountains in the north of the UK and some overnight frosts."