Storm warning brings risk of floods and power cuts

Thunderstorms are expected across north-east England and Cumbria

Flooding and power outages could hit Cumbria and parts of the North East as a storm sweeps across the UK.

The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for much of the country and said heavy rainfall could hit some areas.

The weather service said the full extent of the storm was unclear but there was a "slight chance" businesses and homes could lose power or suffer from flash flooding.

Heavy showers and thunder are expected until midnight.

The Met Office said all of Cumbria could be affected by the storm, as well as Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland in the North East.

The weather warning is in place across most of Enngland, parts of Wales and Southern Scotland.

"Through today, areas of heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to move north across England, into parts of Wales and later into Scotland," the Met Office said.

"The extent of these thunderstorms remains very uncertain and whilst many places will miss them, some places may see 30 to 40mm (1.1 to 1.5in) of rain fall in less than an hour and perhaps over 60 to 80mm (2.4 to 3.1in) in one or two places.

"Frequent lightning strikes and hail will be additional hazards."

The Met Office has advised motorists to check road conditions before journeys.

Drivers in the Lake District have also been warned flooding could occur on roads near Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water.