Sunshine and downpours as weather paints mixed picture across UK

Parts of the UK have been hit with intense rains and thunderstorms for the second day running, while other areas soaked up the midweek sun.

It was a mixed picture for Britons on Wednesday, as tourists in Cambridge were pictured enjoying a sunny punt ride along the river Cam, while torrential rain and thundery showers lashed other parts of the country.

In the capital and parts of the Midlands, flash downpours left people drenched, and images shared on social media showed roads partially flooded.

Londoners were caught in sudden downpours for the second consecutive day, with torrential rain hitting the capital in the early afternoon.

On Tuesday, flash floods caused three cars to be submerged, and their drivers had to be rescued, in Croydon, south London.

Matt Martin, forecaster for the MeteoGroup, said a "heavy thunderstorm and lightning" had hit the Midlands and Birmingham throughout Wednesday afternoon. "The weather we're seeing, the intense showers, is being caused by a convergence across northern parts of England," he said.

Mr Martin said that the "muggy" feel would continue on Wednesday night, with temperatures around 13C.

"Tonight will be a very dry night," he said. "These showers will begin to ease overnight; hopefully they will begin to dry out."

He added that the mixed picture would continue on Thursday until a fresher air hits overnight on Friday.

The weekend will then begin to cool, added Mr Martin, with more rain and temperatures around 20-21C expected.