RESIDENTS in Cheshire are being told to expect thunder and lightning storms later today, Thursday.

It comes as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in the region.

The warning is due to come into force from midday today, and it will remain in place through to 10pm tonight.

The alert warns that driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water, and possibly hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus.

Delays could be caused to train services, with some short-term loss of power and other services possible.

Some flooding of a few homes and businesses is also possible, leading to some damage to buildings or structures, while there is a chance of damage to buildings and structures from lightning strikes.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Heavy showers will develop through the morning, with isolated thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening.

“These will bring the potential for lightning, hail and heavy rain, with a few places seeing 10 to 20mm of rain within an hour, and a small chance of 40mm in two to three hours.

“Showers are likely to weaken over parts of Wales and the south west of England during Thursday evening, but they will persist longer in parts of central England and the Midlands.”