Up to 80 millimetres of rain could fall across parts of the country in the next 24 hours as heavy downpours are expected to continue.

The Met Office has warned that flooding of homes and businesses is possible.

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for London.

In some places 20 to 30 millimetres is predicted to fall within two or three hours.

According to the Met Office: “An area of heavy rain will sink slowly southwards across the east and south east of England during Wednesday.

“Some transport routes may be affected by localised flooding leading to longer journey times.

“In addition, flooding of homes and businesses is possible.

“The heaviest of the rain should gradually become confined to the extreme south east of the UK later in the day.”