THUNDERSTORMS and flash floods have heralded the end of a three-week long heatwave - and the unsettled weather is expected to continue.

Torrential rainfall caused problems in the Darlington area today (Tuesday, July 22), with the town’s Head of Steam railway museum forced to close after a morning deluge led to the elderly building springing a leak.

Police had to help a van out of standing water that had flooded onto the town’s Whessoe Road and the West Auckland Road area of Darlington was also affected by flash floods – with Cockerton Primary School having to close for the day.

In the afternoon the Met Office upgraded its flood warning for the North East from the lowest Yellow ‘be aware’ alert to its Amber ‘be prepared’ warning.

A Yellow warning is currently in place for tomorrow (Wednesday, July 23) as more heavy rain is expected.

Forecaster Brendan Jones of MeteoGroup said: “The main threat is of flash flooding from localised but torrential rain, especially as the ground is so dry and solid it will not soak up the water very easily.

“Another threat is from the frequency of the lightning bolts, which could come down to the ground and cause damage.”

Forecasters say the overall trend for the rest of the week will see the UK gradually cool down, with a continuing risk of showers and thunderstorms.

By next week the temperatures are expected to settle in the low twenties.