Torrential rain, thunder and lightning is blighting the first weekend of the school holidays, as thousands set off across the UK for their summer break.

The persistent heavy downpours that have swamped much of the UK will continue today and cause some areas to experience a whole month’s rainfall in just 24 hours, weather experts say.

The music begins at the 40th Glastonbury Festival today with revellers arriving in their thousands - hopeful that the forecast of a sunny and warm weekend will be spot-on.