Britain braced for autumn deluge

Severe weather warnings were issued for South-west England, Wales and Northern Ireland last night, with forecasts that downpours will spread to most parts of the country.

The Met Office predicted up to 15mm of rainfall in three hours in some places, and warned of traffic disruption caused by flooded roads.

In London, commuters faced disruption on their journeys home last night as Tube workers began a 24-hour strike over the axing of jobs in ticket offices.