THUNDER storms and lightning caused havoc across large swathes of Bolton and Bury on Tuesday night.

Metrolink services were cancelled and engineers worked through the night to restore the route from Bury through Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich this morning.

It is still operating at a reduced service.

A Metrolink spokesman said: "Services will run on all lines this morning after engineers worked through the night to repair damage caused by multiple lightning strikes yesterday.

"The strikes, which hit locations across the network, affected power to critical signalling systems as well as the overhead lines used to power trams and the Altrincham and Bury lines were both suspended for the evening.

"However, as a result of repairs made overnight, services will operate on all lines this morning, although there may be some minor delays while engineers continue to address the remaining damage.

As the evening rushhour began, there were queues on several of the area's motorways including the M61, M60 and M66, as motorists tried to cope with heavy rain and surface water.

In Bolton town centre, Bolton Council lost power to the town hall and other council buildings and the outage also affected some of the council's phone lines, though all communications have since been restored.

On Tuesday morning, the Met Office issued a 'yellow' grade severe weather warning, advising people that there would be warning of rain outbreaks of showery rain which may turn torrential and thundery across parts of northern England.

The warning expired at 11pm on Tuesday.