Flash floods after deluge cause problems for commuters

Vehicles waded through the flooded roads as people begin to navigate rush hour traffic

Commuters have been dealing with travel problems after a sudden deluge caused flash floodings.

Main streets in Stoke-on-Trent city centre became waterlogged quickly and drivers reported problems on their journeys home. Elaine Lymer from Baddeley Green said it had been terrifying and her windscreen wipers had been hardly able to take the torrential rain.

Buildings on main streets in the city centre were affected with rain washing underneath the doors.

"Sudden heavy rainfall has led to flash flooding across the city, particularly in Stoke town centre," the city council said. " Our highways teams are being deployed as quickly as possible to manage the situation and minimise disruption."

Church Street in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent, was among those areas affected on Friday afternoon

Ms Lymer said she had not seen anything like it since she first started living in the area in 1955.

The council said it would continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed.

BBC Radio Stoke was told there were also reports of flooding in Burslem, Cobridge , Hanley and Etruria as well as in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Images in the aftermath of the downpour show large amounts of water in Stoke town centre