Source: Southern

Heavy downpours across England are causing major disruption for road and rail users.

Network Rail said some areas had seen two months' worth of rainfall in one day with drains overwhelmed.

Rail operator Southern has advised people to avoid travelling, delay journeys or use alternative routes.

A total of 31 flood alerts are in place across the country, with some areas set to see up to 60mm of rain, particularly over the first half of the week.

A Network Rail spokesman said engineers were "out in force" pumping water away from areas.

"Across the south east, we suffered over a month's worth of rainfall in just one day and in some areas the downpours equated to two months' rain," he said.

"We'll continue working to keep passengers moving and then we'll review the drainage systems which have suffered problems to see if we can do any more to avoid similar incidents in the future."

In Horncastle, Lincolnshire, the River Waring was transformed into a raging torrent after hours of heavy rainfall.

Police in the town warned motorists and pedestrians "great care" was needed "due to the large amounts of surface flood water and rising drains and rivers".

Leicestershire Police said it had received a "high level" of calls about blocked roads, while a driver narrowly escaped injury when a tree fell on his car in Thurnby.

The Environment Agency said some areas of Kent recorded about 100mm of rain in the 24 hours up to 07:00 BST on Tuesday.

The average rainfall for the entire month of June in the UK is 73.4mm, it added.

source: BBC News