RESIDENTS in Cheshire have been alerted to the possibility of thunder and lightning storms.

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

The warning is now in force and will remain in place through to 10pm tonight, Friday.

It was originally issued further south in England, however it has now been extended further north.

Forecasters say that spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

There is also a slight chance that power cuts could occur, and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.

A Met Office spokesman said: “While some areas will remain dry, slow-moving, heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop from mid to late morning, before decaying during the evening.

“Where thunderstorms occur, 20 to 25mm of rain is possible in less than an hour, and in one or two places, 40 to 50mm could fall in two or three hours.

“Hail and lightning are potential additional hazards.”