Global temperatures could increase by up to 5°C by 2100, according to a study that suggests the climate is more sensitive to greenhouse gas emissions than previously thought.

By 2200, the world could be 8°C warmer than it was in pre-industrial times if carbon dioxide emissions are not reduced, say scientists.

The study corrected errors in calculating the effect of clouds on global warming.

Lead scientist Professor Steven Sherwood said: "Sceptics like to criticise climate models for getting things wrong, but what we are finding is the mistakes are being made by models which predict less warming, not those that predict more."