This year looks set to be the hottest year on record.

Around the world, 2014 is set to be one of the hottest, if not the hottest year on record. Global temperatures are currently around 0.57C above the long-term average of 14C from January to October, just ahead of the previous record set in 2010 of 0.56C.

If November and December follow suit, 2014 is likely to be the hottest year on record, ahead of 2010, 2005 and 1998, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has said.

A new research technique indicated breaking the record is much more likely to occur as a result of human greenhouse gas emissions.

Peter Stott, head of climate attribution at the UK Met Office, said: "Our research shows current global average temperatures are highly unlikely in a world without human influence on the climate.

"Human influence has also made breaking the UK temperature record about 10 times more likely."

Experts say world temperatures show there is "no standstill in global warming".

WMO secretary-general Michel Jarraud said: "What we saw in 2014 is consistent with what we expect from a changing climate - record-breaking heat combined with torrential rainfall and floods destroyed livelihoods and ruined lives."