Severe weather warnings have been issued across the UK as the country prepares to be battered by heavy rain.

North-west England - as well as Wales, Yorkshire and the Midlands - are all set to suffer downpours on Tuesday.

There is a yellow weather warning of rain in place until 10pm today for Greater Manchester. 

In some areas the rainfall will bring the risk of flooding.

The Met Office warning said some of the showers will become thundery, leading to slow-moving systems with downpours.

The yellow weather warning said: "Some locations will miss these but where they do occur, please be aware of possible localised flooding and disruption to travel. Lightning could be an additional hazard."

The chief forecaster said: "As with most recent days, temperatures will rise, triggering some heavy downpours. These may locally produce 15mm to 25mm of rainfall in an hour, bringing the risk of flooding, especially if affecting urban areas."

The bad weather is expected to continue on Wednesday when there will be more scattered heavy thundery showers and as much as 25mm of rain in an hour, leading to possible flooding in urban areas.

Forecaster Steven Keats said: "The area of low pressure responsible is not moving very fast so it will be similar weather all week.

"Drivers should be aware that there will be some quite tricky driving conditions about. There will be lots of spray and some flooding. As always, if you cannot see the road surface, do not drive through it."