This week’s floods follow high temperatures felt across the UK. England saw a high of 32C during the hottest day of the year so far on Tuesday 20 July, and Northern Ireland had its hottest day since records began when the mercury hit 31.4C.

The thunderstorms spell the end of the hot weather and the beginning of cooler temperatures across the UK.

Southern England will see heavy showers and thunderstorms continuing throughout Sunday, forecasters have said.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for storms covering London and some of the Home Counties where homes and businesses are at risk of flooding, lasting until 7pm on Sunday.

A yellow warning for storms which could cause travel and power disruption also covers a wider area of the south from Norwich to Plymouth, and lasts until midnight.