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UK weather: Homes, businesses and lives at risk as severe thunderstorms set to hit

Lightning strikes as a thunder storm passes over Liverpool - Peter Byrne /PA 
Lightning strikes as a thunder storm passes over Liverpool - Peter Byrne /PA

The Met Office has issued a warning that homes and businesses could be damaged by flooding, lightning and hailstones next week.

Following the hot and humid weather, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for "torrential" rain which could develop in several areas of the country from Monday onwards.

The body warned that the storms brings an added risk of cancellations of public transport and increased accidents on roads from sudden flooding.

"Power cuts" and "other services to some homes and businesses could be lost," it warned, adding that there is a chance that fast flowing or deep floodwater could be a "danger to life".

The thunderstorms that are forecast from Monday to Wednesday are said to be "severe" for several areas, although the location of the worst hit areas are not yet known.

The heatwave currently sweeping the UK is due to continue towards the end of next week, as the country's beaches brace themselves for another wave of day-trippers.

Temperatures are expected to hit over 30 degrees over the weekend and well into next week, particularly in the South, according to the Met Office.

On Saturday, Heathrow and Kew Gardens reached a high of 36.4 degrees - making it the hottest day in August since 2003, and the fifth hottest on record.

In Bournemouth, visitors were said to have arrived at the beach as early as 3am to bag the best spots.

As many as 70 coastguard callouts were made before midday as thousands headed to the coast to make the most of Britain's beaches.

People enjoy the hot weather at Boscombe beach in Dorset - Andrew Matthews /PA
People enjoy the hot weather at Boscombe beach in Dorset - Andrew Matthews /PA

This included 14,000 people packed on the sandy beach at Perranporth in Cornwall, where 15 rescues were launched.

The RNLI on Saturday warned about the dangers of inflatable paddle boards and kayaks being used on the UK's holiday hotspots.

Steve Instance, the South West sea safety lead with the charity, said: "Inflatable stand up paddle boards and kayaks can be taken by the tide and wind very, very easily."

"People can fall off them and get separated. Once separated catching up with them is really difficult."

Despite problems with social distancing, he urged tourists and locals to go to lifeguarded beaches.

On Sunday areas of the North of England will see average temperatures while the heat may rise as high as 36 across southeast England.