SEVERE weather warnings have been issued for much of the country, with heavy showers expected to continue over the coming days.

Thundery downpours have soaked parts of the UK, and forecasters have warned of the risk of flooding in Wiltshire, Swindon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and in the north and east.

Many areas could see the showers lasting into Thursday, with some turning into thunderstorms.

The warnings have been issued as lightning strikes were recorded in Wales, north London and south east England.

The Environment Agency has issued 21 flood alerts indicating that flooding is possible, and warned people to be prepared while West Midlands Fire Service responded to multiple flash floods.

The rain put a dampener on proceedings at Ascot on Tuesda, soaking racegoers and forcing thousands of female guests wearing eye-catching head pieces to hide under umbrellas and delayed play at Queen's Club in London for the Aegon Championships.

The Met Office said a slow-moving area of low pressure, mixed with rising temperatures, was causing the "unstable" weather.

Forecaster Alex Burkill said: "Already we've had thunder and lightning over parts of Wales, north London and parts of Essex. I would be very surprised if we did not have more thundery activity over the bulk of the rest of the country.

"What we have is the low pressure tracking eastwards across the UK making things unsettled and unstable. The warm temperatures are causing the air to rise, allowing large clouds to form and so the warmth is linked to the fact that it is unsettled."

The Met Office yellow 'alert' weather warning issued on Wednesday morning said: "Scattered heavy, thundery showers are expected to develop yet again on Wednesday, and will lead to slow-moving downpours.

"As on preceding days, some locations will miss these downpours, but please be aware of possible localised flooding and disruption to travel where they do occur."

"Scattered heavy showers are expected to develop yet again on Thursday, and will lead to slow-moving downpours.

"As on preceding days some locations will miss these downpours, but please be aware of possible localised flooding and disruption to travel where they do occur.

"Heavy showers are expected to redevelop on Friday, into slow-moving bands in places, and leading to some torrential downpours."

There could also be lightning on Thursday and Friday, warns the Met Office.

The chief forecaster said: "Rising temperatures will trigger slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms.

"Once again, 15-25mm (0.6-1 inch) are likely to fall within an hour in scattered locations, with the risk of more than 30mm (1.2ins), bringing the risk of flooding, especially if across urban areas."

On flash flooding, Mr Burkill said: "It is similar to what he had last week in Birmingham and parts of London. It is not huge amount of rainfall, but how quickly that rain falls.

"Looking at the UK average for June, it's not exceptionally wet."