The Met Office have issued a severe weather warning for the bank holiday weekend.

A yellow "be aware" alert for heavy rain has been issued for Sunday with the potential for torrential downpours with more than an inch of rainfall possible.

The warning, which is valid from 12.15am until just before midnight, reads: "Heavy showers and possibly some more prolonged rain is expected to affect southeastern parts of England at times during Sunday.

"Rain could be heavy, with the risk of some torrential downpours whilst lightning may well be an additional hazard at times. Very localised impacts from standing water or flooding from fast responding water courses may affect travel and some outdoor events and activities."

The Chief forecaster said: "A frontal system, currently developing near the Azores, is expected to push northeast towards the UK later on Saturday, then becoming slow-moving across the southeast on Sunday.

"Ripples of energy running along the front will give rise to organised showers or more prolonged periods of rain.

"Furthermore, thunderstorms which are likely to develop across northern France may come north into the warning area, leading to some torrential downpours. 30-50 mm of rain is possible in the warning area, with locally as much as 25mm falling in a few hours.

"Added to the heavy rainfall this area has experienced over the last week, some issues from standing water or very localised flooding are possible.

"This is a very complex development, and the warning area, as well as warning period, may well be updated as confidence in developments increase."