Preheating and annealing of cold rolled metal strip

In order to overcome the problems that earlier methods have experienced, the present invention provides for a method of continuously annealing a cold rolled metal strip (3), comprising continuously transporting the strip (3) along a transport path where a ramp of direct flame impingement (DFI) burners (1) are located for heating the strip (3), wherein the ramp is located perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the direction of movement of the strip (3), wherein the DFI burners (1) are mutually located such that the whole width of the strip (3) is heated to the same, or substantially the same, temperature, wherein the velocity of the strip (3) on the transport path passing the ramp and the heating power of the DFI burners (1) are adapted to heat the strip (3) to annealing temperature, and wherein the preheated strip (3) is annealed in a continuous soaking furnace or annealing furnace (8;9).