The weather is the most troublesome problem for construction firms, according to a Meteorological Office survey.
A poll of 70 construction firms revealed that only 17% of them took weather into account as a vital part of planning, even though 60% said it had a "quite serious" impact on their business.

The survey also found that construction firms have changed their working practices over the last few years, in response to what they perceive to be increasingly poor weather conditions.

Martin Rodgers, head of the Met Office's services to construction, said the research showed firms believe they cannot do anything to plan around the weather.

He said: "A weather forecaster is only a phone call away to provide more tailored advice."