Developing a vaccine normally takes a decade; getting to 80 per cent global coverage generally takes about 30 years.

The first satellite goes up at the end of the year, and full global coverage will be achieved next year.

It uses dishes and boosters on our overseas territories to give global coverage.

Any minor celeb can get global coverage simply by having their photograph taken with him.

Over this period the recent instrumental record, mainly based on direct thermometer readings, has approximately global coverage.