Storm Betty: Very strong winds and heavy rain hit UK

A pair shelter from the rain near Big Ben. with further downpours expected on Friday night

Parts of the UK and Ireland are being lashed by Storm Betty, which has brought heavy rain, storms and winds.

Train services in Cornwall have been disrupted and flooding has hit roads in County Cork.

The storm, named by the Irish meteorological service, is set to bring more severe weather as it moves in from the Atlantic.

Half a month's rain is expected in some areas, with other instances of flooding reported on Friday evening.

The forecast is expected to improve as the weekend continues and many areas can expect sunny spells and showers.

A yellow warning alert for wind came into effect at 18:00 on Friday, with Betty expected to bring very strong gusts lasting until midday on Saturday.

The strongest, of around 60mph-70mph (97kmh-113kmh), are expected along the south-western coasts of England and Wales. Gusts of 40-50mph could also affect much of south-west England, Wales, the east of Northern Ireland, south-west Scotland and the Cumbrian coast.

A second thunderstorm warning, covering the East Midlands, the east and south-east of England and London, came into effect at 20:00 on Friday and will last until 05:00 on Saturday.

On Friday, flooding caused disruption for drivers in County Cork, while a boat in Dungarvan, County Waterford, broke free from its berth and crashed into the harbour.

Heavy and thundery rain will spread across many parts of the UK on Friday night with the potential for some large hail, especially in East Anglia, Kent and East Sussex.

Significant rainfall is also expected in Northern Ireland. A weather warning is in place from 21:00 on Friday until 06:00 on Saturday. Around a months' worth of rain - 40mm-80mm - could fall in hilly areas and around 15mm-25mm elsewhere.

On Friday morning, a yellow warning for thunderstorms was in place from 06:00 BST until 12:00 across the West Midlands and the south of England, with commuters told to expect travel disruption and possible flooding.

Around 20mm-30mm (0.8in-1.1in) fell in some areas. The average monthly rainfall in August is usually around 63mm (2.5in) of rain falls across south-east England.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan told the BBC that although there had been some heavy rain on Friday morning, he was not aware of any significant flooding at that time.

He said Storm Betty was "more likely to bring frequent lightning and flooding overnight".

Mr Morgan warned that "potentially severe gales" were possible but stressed: "for the weekend as a whole, for many its a fine weekend with a small chance of a shower."

• Where has the UK summer gone?

• Heatwaves could change summer holidays for ever

• UK heat deaths to triple without action on housing

The Coast Guard inspect the damage to a boat in Dungarvan.

Waves crash against the sea wall in Tramore, south-east Ireland, on Friday evening

Women purchased umbrellas in Westminster to shelter from the rain

BBC meteorologist Simon King also advised anyone holidaying in unfamiliar areas to check local reports.

Among events cancelled due to Friday's forecast is the Tall Ships parade of sail in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Organisers said the safety and welfare of the vessel crews were the "foremost considerations".

The Met Office has warned people living and working on the coast to take extra care during windy and stormy weather, and to be prepared for the weather changing quickly.

It added that there is a "small chance" of damage to homes and businesses from flooding, lightning and hail.

Storm Betty, named by Met Eireann, is the second named storm in August following Storm Antoni earlier this month. It is only the second time since naming was introduced in 2015 that two storms have been named in August.

Forecasters expects Saturday to see the remnants of Storm Betty move north and bring some showers in western parts of the UK, and more persistent rain in western Scotland.

For Sunday and next week, the main theme of the forecast is expected to be sunshine and showers.