Homes evacuated as storms lash Scotland

Dozens of people have been forced to flee their homes as heavy storms swept across the west of Scotland.

Firefighters had to evacuate houses and cars in the Hamilton and East Kilbride areas where a factory was struck by lightning.

A fire engine had to be abandoned by its crew after becoming marooned in floodwaters.

Strathclyde Fire Brigade said it had been called to a string of incidents in Bothwell, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Lesmahagow and surrounding areas between 11pm and 2am.

In Bothwell firefighters had to rescue people from four cars after they were trapped by floods.

"One of our crews had to abandon their fire appliance because of the flood waters," a spokeswoman for the brigade said.

Standing water was also causing problems for motorists in the area, particularly on the A70 at Glespin, near Lesmahagow, which remained closed to traffic today.

Scottish Power was also attempting to restore power to hundreds of homes in the areas which were blacked out.