A yellow thunderstorm warning was activated at 2am in the East and West Midlands, the north of England and parts of Wales, and will be in place until 5pm on Thursday.

Britain is bracing for a washout after a yellow weather warning was issued for heavy rain and strong gales, plunging the country into travel chaos with potential flooding.

A yellow thunderstorm warning was activated at 2am in the East and West Midlands, the north of England and parts of Wales, and will be in place until 5pm on Thursday.

The alert came into force just after 8am and will be in effect until midday