Recent bad weather: "the worst storms since 2007" according to locals

Widespread disruption is expected to blight major transport routes for a second day after fierce storms and torrential downpours caused flash floods across parts of the UK.

Train services between Scotland and England have been cut in the wake of yesterday's freak deluges that saw rail lines blocked by flood water, landslips and fallen trees.

At Immingham in North East Lincolnshire, schools, public buildings and people's homes have been left underwater. Some people living there described the weather as the worst floods since the summer of 2007.

Northern England, the Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland were worst hit by battering storms that brought lightening, giant hail stones and and reports of damage from squalls and tornadoes.

East Coast Trains said it had cancelled all services between Newcastle and Edinburgh today following floods in Cumbria and near Newcastle and a landslip near Berwick-upon-Tweed.

An East Coast spokesman said there would be no replacement bus services or alternative transport arrangements between Scotland and England, adding:

"Network Rail is working hard to fix the line quickly following various problems caused by the severe weather experienced yesterday. The line is unlikely to re-open until tomorrow morning. Tickets valid today and yesterday will be valid on Saturday."