Warning as heavy rain and floods on the way

GRAB your brollies and batten down the hatches as Britain is about to be battered with strong winds and rain.

- ELEANOR BARLOW

Forecasters have predicted a washout start to the weekend for the south of the UK, with warnings of heavy rain and possible flooding.

Met Office experts issued a yellow weather warning for rain for much of Wales, the Midlands and the east of England, due to come into force at 6am on Friday and last for 24 hours.

The warning area also includes large parts of the South East and South West and, further north, Cheshire and South Yorkshire.

Forecasters predict heavy and prolonged rain which may lead to some flooding.