THE year is on course to be the warmest on record, and forecasters say the only chance of snow in the coming weeks is on the peaks of Scotland.

But that has not stopped residents in the coastal town of Scarborough organising a snowman competition.

The Friends of Falsgrave Park will launch its first snowman contest today.

Entries must be made of real snow and must be at least 3ft tall. Kath Hewson, the chairwoman of Falsgrave Park, said the competition was being opened now so residents could be prepared if and when snow falls.

She said: "It is just a bit of fun to raise awareness locally of what a great park we have here. We are hoping to get some snow, but it might be next Christmas when it comes."

The group was set up five years ago to upgrade the area's derelict play area.

Other rules require the snowman to be built within the Falsgrave Park boundary.

Photographic evidence must be given to judges.

Preliminary temperature figures released yesterday show that this year could be Britain's warmest on record.

The autumn has already been declared the warmest on record, with an average temperature of 12.6C.

Nikki Berry, a meteorologist at the Press Association's weather centre, said: "If the temperatures stay the same for the rest of the year, it will equal the record for the warmest December, but it is forecast to get a bit colder.

"There is no snow forecast, other than on the very highest Scottish hills, so it would mean a bit of a long hike if you were wanting to build a snowman."