WHEN a sunflower competition has to be postponed due to lack of sun, you know that Craven has been missing out on its share of summer weather.

While figures show that the world has just had the hottest July in history, we have been hidden under almost constant cloud and rain.

And the effect on this tourism-led part of the world has been marked, turning summer trade on its head. Sales of waterproofs are up while ice creams are proving a turn-off.

But perhaps the most tangible proof that the sun hasn't got his hat on is that flower contest.

When a trainee at Skipton's Great Mills garden and DIY store came up the idea of a "grow-the-tallest-sunflower" competition to attract more trade she thought the blooms would be straining high by now.

Becky Walker and her colleagues were due to judge the entrants' efforts in early August, but have had to put it off in the hope that the flowers can catch a few more rays.

Manager Malcolm Walmsley said: "You would expect sunflowers to be extremely tall by now, but so far the entries are nowhere near big enough to judge."

The unseasonable weather has had more serious consequences for local businesses.

Alan Hughes, who runs Pennine Boat Trips in Skipton, keeps a daily log of the weather and has seen his trade drop noticeably from last year.

He said: "In July we had 14 days of rain and 25 days when it was dull and overcast. In June it was a similar story with 15 days of rain, and it was the third wettest month this century.

"Trade has been down by around 15 per cent, and that's at the time when more holidaymakers are coming into town."

Ice cream vendors are always the first to be licked when the sun goes in, and the Ice Cream Parlour in Skipton is no exception.

Assistant Stephen Naylor said: "Sales have definitely been down recently. I just hope the weather improves a bit and things might start looking up."

The wet conditions have also affected travel, with the flooding of part of the Settle-Carlisle line.

Higher than average rainfall has also cost Skipton Town Council dearly. Rapidly growing grass verges and other land has meant having to employ a gardener for longer.

But while some count the cost of the rain, some are counting extra takings.

Charles Morris, the new owner of the Plaza Cinema in Skipton, was amazed when his picture house was filled to capacity on Monday afternoon.

He said: "Either it was a very good film or it was the bad weather. Whatever it was it had a phenomenal effect."

Those stalwarts still taking to the hills are ensuring strong business at outdoor clothing shops, with the George Fisher store reporting record summer trade in waterproof gear.

Sales supervisor Robert Marsden said: "We are just about sold out of waterproof trousers and even fleeces are selling well, which is very unusual for the summer. Conversely, we still have racks full of shorts."

* This is an historic summer for weather in North Craven.

Becks which are normally a trickle at this time of year have become a torrent. Cows which should be grazing in paddocks are paddling in paddy fields.

And for the first time in living memory the Waterfalls Walk was shut because the River Twiss flooded.

Barry Greenwood, of the Waterfalls Walk said: "Nobody can remember it being shut before at this time of year."

Another great Ingleton attraction, White Scar Caves, also had to close due to flooding when water poured out of the main cave entrance.

Manager John Connaughton said: "It is very rare to find it flooding like this in the summer. The ground is so waterlogged now, there is nowhere else for it to go."

Ingleton weather watcher, John Hughes, described July as being "a dismally chilly, grey and wet month."

Exactly the same rainfall was recorded as in June, with 157mm falling in both months. The maximum air temperature achieved in July was 22.6C, and it got down as far as 7.9C.

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