Stormy weather disrupts and wipes out events

Stormy weather is causing disruption to sporting and cultural events, including the Olympic torch relay.

The torch had to be relit in Blackpool after it was put out by the heavy rain, the Isle of Wight Festival site is waterlogged and England's cricket match against the West Indies was called off.

Forecasters say heavy rain is affecting northern England, Northern Ireland, north Wales and south-west Scotland.

The Environment Agency has issued 78 flood warnings in northern England.

The <link> <caption>Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for rain</caption> <url href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/" platform="highweb"/> </link> affecting the regions of North West England, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, West Midlands, Northern Ireland, South West Scotland Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Central, Tayside and Fife, and Wales.

It has also warned of severe conditions for parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire. Up to 50-60mm (2-2.4in) of rainfall is expected and in some places that could rise to 100mm (4in).

'Month's rain'

The <link> <caption>Environment Agency has flood warnings</caption> <url href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx" platform="highweb"/> </link> in place in the North West and North East regions of England, and there are <link> <caption>five warnings in Scotland</caption> <url href="http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/" platform="highweb"/> </link> which are in Aberdeenshire and Borders.

Rainy conditions greeted racegoers arriving at Royal Ascot

There are 53 less severe flood alerts in the North East, North West and South West in England and in Wales, and eight in Scotland.

Environment Agency spokeswoman Kate Marks said: "A month's rain is predicted to fall in the North West in the next 24 hours.

"We would urge the public to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding, especially as river levels can rise very quickly."

The agency has mobilised staff across the North West to operate flood defences, clear blockages and monitor river levels.

In Wigan, residents were ferried from their homes by boat after heavy rainfall clogged drains in Beresford Street.

The <link> <caption>third one-day international between England and West Indies</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/18550012" platform="highweb"/> </link> at Headingley, Leeds, was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Heavy rain in Blackpool put out the Olympic flame at 18:35 BST. It was relit with the back-up flame from the lantern.

Residents in Upperton, North Lanarkshire had to be rescued from their homes

Plans to take the torch to the top of the Blackpool Tower were abandoned due to high winds, while the torch relay event scheduled for Blackpool Tower Festival Headland had to be held in the Tower Ballroom.

Organisers said participants on day 35 of the 70-day tour faced the wettest weather so far.

Heavy rain and winds gusting to more than 40mph marred the Cumbria to Lancashire leg, but have not deterred crowds from turning out.

The weather has seen:

• Music fans at the <link> <caption>Isle of Wight Festival spending the night in their cars </caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-18539315" platform="highweb"/> </link> after traffic became gridlocked when heavy rain turned the site into a mudbath

• <link> <caption>Flood alerts issued in Wales</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18546909" platform="highweb"/> </link> , including in three areas hit by severe weather earlier this month

• Residents in Upperton, North Lanarkshire, rescued from their homes after being cut off by flooding. The <link> <caption>Scottish Environment Protection Agency has several flood warnings</caption> <url href="http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/" platform="highweb"/> </link> and alerts in place

• Long <link> <caption>delays on the Sydenham bypass in east Belfast</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18549553" platform="highweb"/> </link> due to severe flooding

• The <link> <caption>cancellation of the opening night of the London 2012 Festival in Birmingham</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-18545174" platform="highweb"/> </link> - organisers of The Voyage are hopeful that at least two performances over the next three nights will go ahead

• A Girl Guide event at Tabley Showground in Cheshire cancelled

• The <link> <caption>Great North Swim event at Windermere</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-18546983" platform="highweb"/> </link> in Cumbria cancelled amid predictions of strong gusting winds

• The <link> <caption>final and main day of the CultureShock Festival</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-18552815" platform="highweb"/> </link> 2012 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, called off

• Durham County Council calling off its Jubilee Proms in the Park concert scheduled for Sunday

• The cancellation of the Hutton horse trials near Penrith in Cumbria

• The cancellation of the Woodspring Wings model aircraft show at Yatton airfield in north Somerset on Saturday and Sunday because of waterlogging

• <link> <caption>Blue Peter's Big Olympic Tour</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/18553856" platform="highweb"/> </link> from Towneley Park, Burnley - which was due to be held on Saturday - has been cancelled

Meanwhile, BBC Sport's Frank Keogh says there were wet and windy conditions at <link> <caption>day four of Royal Ascot</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/18550238" platform="highweb"/> </link> , with numerous horses not running because of the soft conditions.

BBC Weather presenter John Hammond said much of the country will start Saturday with drier but breezy conditions.

But the rain will remain over south-west Scotland overnight. And showers are expected to return to Northern Ireland, north-west and south-west England and Wales by the end of Saturday and there could be another 10-15mm of rain in those areas.