It has become part of modern folklore that global warming is the cause of most weather problems. It seems generally held that the climate is becoming milder and the winters shorter and gentler, and we all know as a matter of fact that the days on which we are likely to see sunshine are increasingly unpredictable.

The downside to global warming, if the theorists are to be believed and we all face a damper climate all round, is that in decades to come, according to the Halifax Estate Agency today, the wetter areas will suffer from lower house prices - although if Bradford is reported to be missing out for that reason, heaven knows what prices in Manchester must be doing!

The survey is clearly tongue in cheek. There are many other factors affecting house prices. But weather does have its serious side when it comes to home ownership. The people in the Stockbridge area of Keighley, for instance, have had to endure more than their fair share of the adverse effects of global warming.

The 400 or so who were washed out of their homes when the River Aire burst its banks in November 2000 will be more than pleased to see that work is at last under way to strengthen the flood defences nearby. The £900,000 project is expected to take about 18 weeks to complete. Residents will be keeping their fingers crossed that it won't be put to the test too soon.

The biggest worry, though, is that if global warming is a reality and really is likely to produce a wetter climate, how many more flood-defences should be we preparing right now?