Birmingham will become one of the worst storm-ravaged cities in the UK as a result of climate change, a report warns.

The city will be hit by an increasing number of winter storms, with high winds a major feature, environmental group WWF said.

The Stormy Europe report names Birmingham as one of the three worst affected UK cities in an analysis which predicts winter storms will increase by 25 per cent in the UK as a result of climate change.

Overall the UK will suffer the biggest increase in storms by the end of the century of the seven European countries analysed - the others are Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France.

The UK will be hit by ten extra severe storms over a 30-year period between 2071 and 2100, if climate change continues to go unchecked.

Top wind speeds will increase by 8-16 per cent, with Birmingham, London and Swansea set to bear the brunt of the worst of the predicted extreme conditions.

High winds and storm force conditions will also bring major damage and financial losses to the UK and Birmingham with increased risk of property damage and disruption to services.

The findings come in the wake of Birmingham's recent experience of extreme weather events, which saw two tornados hit the city in the space of three months last year.

The first, and worst, whirlwind last July, saw about 5,000 properties damaged with an estimated clean-up bill of over £4.3 million.

Sam Durham, WWF's regional campaigns officer for the Midlands, said: "This report shows that the UK and Birmingham in particular will be in the firing line of future severe winter storms. We have to take urgent action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, in order to protect people and their properties from devastating storms."

WWF's report looked at three parameters to compare the countries - the increase in severe winter storms, the increase in the number of days with extremely high wind speeds and the increase in maximum wind speeds.

Meanwhile, a second climate change report from English Nature predicts average daily temperatures will rise by up to 5C in the region by 2080. Winter rainfall could rise by up to 30 per cent with summer rainfall decreasing by up to 60 per cent.

It warns the changes would have a huge impact on wildlife, with water sensitive species facing extinction. Species preferring warmer or drier summer conditions could prosper.

Wetlands such as the Shropshire meres and mosses may suffer from reduced water levels and water quality, placing the great crested newt under threat.

Parkland and veteran trees may also become more vulnerable through drought and increased windiness.

Peter Shirley, regional director of West Midland Wildlife Trusts, told a biodiversity conference in Birmingham yesterday that some species would be at risk.

"If it gets warmer then birds such as warblers and blue tits could do better.

"With warmer temperatures things will get drier and wetland species will lose out."