Storms: Homes and hospital damaged in flash floods

A man in Sutton Coldfield realised lightning had struck his home when his TV "popped", West Midlands Fire Service said

Lightning strikes have damaged homes overnight as buildings, including a hospital, were flooded.

Parts of England, including the North West, East Midlands, West Midlands and South West had up to 50mm of rainfall over three hours on Tuesday evening.

Homes in Sheffield, Sutton Coldfield, in the West Midlands, and Wirral, Merseyside were hit by lightning which caused fires.

The Met Office warned there may be more storms on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thunderstorms hit a number of regions, including Greater Manchester

Lightning was also captured in Hinckley in Leicestershire

No-one was hurt when lightning struck the roof of a home in Sheffield

West Midlands Fire Service said it received 200 weather-related calls, including a fire at the Sutton Coldfield home in New Leasow Road, New Hall, which was struck by a lightning bolt.

It said two adults and two children fled the property before firefighters arrived. The resident first knew about the strike when he heard his TV "popping".

Walsall Manor Hospital warned patients and staff to take care when arriving at the building

Walsall Manor Hospital also suffered "severe flooding" in the heavy rain.

Officials warned patients and staff that disruption would continue on Wednesday and urged them to take care when arriving at the building.

The Met Office said Market Bosworth, in Leicestershire, received the most rain on Tuesday - 49.6mm.

Denton, in Greater Manchester, was one of the areas affected by flooding

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a three-storey house in Millhouses Road, Sheffield, was hit by lightning shortly before 19:30 BST on Tuesday, but no-one was hurt.

Another house caught fire after being struck by lightning in Merseyside.

There were no reports of any injuries at the property in Barnston Road, Thingwall, Wirrall, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said.

A school, children's centre and several homes were damaged in Speke and Garston in Liverpool, councillor Leon Tootle said.

Banks Road Primary School and Garston Children's Centre in Banks Road was flooded and there were also a number of road closures.

The storms also caused disruption to rail services in Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

North West Motorway Police had "numerous reports... of flash flooding, resulting in collisions".

Roads like this one in Hockley Heath, Solihull, were caught in flash flooding

Nailsworth in Stroud was also flooded

People in Nailsworth in Stroud, Gloucestershire, are bracing themselves for more storms after a number of businesses were flooded.

Sarah Martin from the local Chamber of Commerce said it was "heart-wrenching" after being open for just two days since lockdown restrictions on shops were lifted.

Ms Martin said people were desperately laying down sandbags to prevent further flood damage.

Forecasters warned storms may continue throughout Wednesday and Thursday.