'Rainforest downpour' brings floods

The average rain expected to fall on Friday is enough to change the July average rainfall figures for the last 30 years and the chances of such weather in July are 1 in 20, a spokesman for Meteogroup said.

"It's fair to say that what we're seeing is extremely rare for this time of year," said forecaster Helen Rossington.

In some parts of the UK, up to an inch of rain fell in an hour.

According to Meteogroup, the rain swept up through France and is pivoting over the Midlands, meaning large parts of southern and central England and Wales have experienced constant downpours. The rain will move on Scotland and Northern Ireland over the weekend.

"Within this main rain band there are embedded thunder storms that are enhancing the already very heavy rain," said Ms Rossington.

TV stations were paralysed as satellites went down, computers froze in offices and many cities ground to a halt as the month's average rainfall was reached and passed.

Flooding was reported in cities and towns across the country including Reading and Maidenhead in Berkshire, and villages in north Yorkshire.

Five people were reported to have been trapped by flash flooding on the first floor of a building in Barry, south Wales. Flooding in the Haywards Heath area of West Sussex brought trains to a halt, with First Capital Connect, Southern and Virgin Trains' services affected.

Some London Underground stations were shut because of flooding, and the heavy rain caused a suspension of services on the Hammersmith and City line between Goldhawk Road and Hammersmith in west London.