In pictures: Lightning storms hit UK

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Spectacular lightning storms have been seen in UK skies on Thursday night and Friday.

More than 3,000 strikes were recorded in just two hours early on Friday, and many UK people awoke to loud thunder and torrential rain.

Here are some of the images taken of the storms.

Three bolts of lightning hitting the seaImage source, Richard Boll
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The storms arrived on UK shores from the south - and Richard Boll took this photograph of lightning striking the English Channel off Hove in Sussex.

Three images showing lightning striking the sea off BrightonImage source, Sophia McQue
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Lightning also struck the sea behind Brighton Palace Pier, where Sophia McQue captured a series of images.

A lightning strike. A wire fence can be seen in the foregroundImage source, Adam Sprague
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Lightning struck numerous locations in the south of England. Adam Sprague took this picture in St Austell, Cornwall.

Lightning seen over houses at nightImage source, Derek Liversidge
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The storms moved north during the night, and Derek Liversidge captured this image at Calne in Wiltshire.

Lightning seen over Crawley, West SussexImage source, Steven Shears
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Steven Shears took this picture of the skies over Crawley, West Sussex.

Lightning strikes several buildings at once in GloucesterImage source, Chris Stretton
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Chris Stretton captured the moment lightning struck several buildings at once in Gloucester at about 01:45 BST.

London at night as seen from a helicopter - with a lightning strike in the distanceImage source, @MPSINTHESKY
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A Metropolitan Police helicopter took this picture as one storm approached London. The helicopter later landed to avoid the severe weather.

Lightning striking Canary Wharf at nightImage source, Justin Stokes
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Many people in London took pictures of the lightning. Justin Stokes photographed this dramatic scene over Canary Wharf.

A lightning strike on a city at nightImage source, Ashley Williams
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Ashley Williams took this picture of a lightning strike in Swansea.

Golfer Brandt Snedeker walks past a sign which says: "Be prepared. Thunderstorm possible."Image source, AP
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Players and fans at the Open Championship at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club have been warned about the threat of thunderstorms.