Lightning strikes and flash flooding in Bedfordshire

Lightning at Flitwick in Bedfordshire on Tuesday afternoon Credit: Dylan Bowers

Severe thunderstorms have brought flash flooding and lightning strikes in the Bedfordshire area.

Police in Dunstable warned people to avoid the town centre after roads were flooded by torrential downpours.

The police said that due to demand they were only able to deal with life-threatening emergencies.

Thousands of passengers have been delayed after flash flooding caused a power outage at Luton Airport, leaving people unable to clear passport control.

Lightning strikes in the Bedfordshire area in the hour to 6pm on Tuesday 7 June 2016. Credit: Met Office

The Met Office has a yellow weather warning in place until 6am on Wednesday 8 June 2016.

The Met Office says: "Isolated heavy, thundery showers will turn locally torrential with the risk of hail on Tuesday afternoon and become more widespread through the evening, perhaps lasting through the night in some areas.

"Whilst most places will miss the worst, please be aware of the risk of localised flooding, with lightning presenting an additional hazard."

People have been posting pictures of the aftermath of the rainfall on social media.

Rainfall radar image taken at 6.50 pm on Tuesday 7 June 2016 showing where the heaviest rain was falling. Credit: Met Office

Click below to play the Met Office rainfall radar sequence showing the movement of the thunderstorms and torrential rain between 1pm and 6pm