Blackburn, and other parts of Lancashire, are set to be battered with rain today (June 18) as the Met Office issues a warning for thunderstorms.

A yellow warning is in force from 11am until 9pm.

The thunderstorm is set to affect driving conditions and lightning may cause damage to buildings and structures.

The Met Office has warned of potential power cuts and homes may become flooded.

Delays to train services are also possible.

All parts of East Lancashire are covered by the warning, Blackburn included. Temperatures are set to peak at 16°C with lows of 10°C expected.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “There is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus.

“[There could be] some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes and some short-term loss of power and other services is possible.

“[There could be] some flooding of a few homes and businesses possible, leading to some damage to buildings or structures.

“Delays to train services are possible.”

While the start of the week is set to be turbulent, conditions are set to improve with a mini-heatwave set to sweep across the UK.

Temperatures this week are likely to peak at around 24°C or 25°C on Thursday and Friday in the south, though more subdued in the north west, with the influence of cloud and showers at times more likely.

At the time of writing, temperatures in Blackburn are set to peak on Friday (June 21) at 19°C. A mixture of sunshine, showers, and cloud has been forecast. It is a similar outlook in other parts of East Lancashire.