Transport hit by flash flooding

Travellers on Tyneside faced delays after torrential rain caused problems on transport systems.

The Met Office issued warnings of extreme weather for many areas of the north-east of England on Wednesday afternoon.

Metro trains were suspended between North Shields and Tynemouth because of flooding in the North Shields Tunnel.

Services between Pelaw and South Shields were also halted after lightning caused signalling problems.

Emergency services said they had received dozens of calls during the afternoon.