IF Mr Crosby had crooned "I'm dreaming of a wet and windy Christmas," we doubt he would have scored a worldwide smash. Yet we always seemed blessed with grey and blowy Christmases.

That hasn't stopped thousands betting on snow for Saturday.

Seasonal sentimentality, fuelled by a cold snap earlier this week, sparked a rush to the bookies.

What about next Christmas? One man who says he knows is weatherman John Kettley, who has just issued a 12-month forecast. No offence John, but we hope you've got it wrong. A dull, wet, thundery summer hardly gives us much to look forward to.

Updated: 09:43 Thursday, December 23, 2004