Scorched earth flooded out

They were images that illustrated the toll the sweltering summer of 2006 had taken on land across the Midlands.

But 12 months later to the day and the weather – and the landscape – has transformed.

Incessant rainfall has replaced last July's unprecedented heat, when temperatures soared to the high 90s. The ground, which last year was brown and hard, is now lush and green.

This video, taken by Express & Star video journalist Victoria Hoe, show how the greenery of the West Midlands has returned.

They were taken in the same week in which we took to the skies in 2006, when the land had turned into a dusty brown and one of the hottest summer's on record was just about the break into a cooler and wetter August.

The Met Office revealed that there has already been more than five inches of rainfall this month. That compares to just two inches in the whole of July last year. The manicured lawns and acres of green pasture have returned to the Himley Hall estate between Dudley and Wolverhampton, after drying up last year.

Twelve months ago the floral displays of Wolverhampton's West Park stood out in the dry conditions. But now the whole area is vibrant with colour.

In Trysull, homes which last year stood in an island of brown fields look from the air as though they could be on a well-maintained golf course. Last July, one aerial view shows how drought conditions had started to reduce the water level at Fens Pool near Brierley Hill, revealing the pool banks.

But now the pool looks swollen, blue and inviting. Claverley, Seisdon and Darlaston look similarly verdant.

Despite the rainfall, though, it hasn't been a cold summer.

Thick cloud cover has meant cooler days but also mild nights. Express & Star weatherman John Warner said: "Last month was one of the warmest Junes on record."