Met Office issues weather warning for rain as forecaster warns of flooding following heavy downpours

The warning will remain in place from 5pm today until 9pm on Tuesday.

The alert covers huge parts of the UK, including the south east, south west and Yorkshire.

The Met Office said: "Following recent wet weather, further spells of rain, heavy in places are expected on Monday evening and overnight. Then after a brief gap, another spell of heavy rain is likely to spread northeastwards on Tuesday.

"The focus this evening and overnight will be across parts of southwest and southern England, south Wales and perhaps the Midlands.

"On Tuesday the focus for the heaviest rain is less clear-cut but perhaps more likely across parts of Wales, the Midlands towards eastern England and Yorkshire.

"Over the warning period, 15 to 30 mm rain is likely to fall fairly widely, with a few places seeing 35 to 50 mm.

"The worst of the rain should clear southwestern areas of England and south Wales by around the middle of Tuesday but could last into the evening across the northeast of the warning area.

"Strong winds will affect parts of the area, with a separate wind warning in place."

Britons are being urged to prepare a flood plan and to check road conditions or public transport schedules.

A "mini tornado" hit a Devon village on New Year's Eve which split a 150-year-old oak tree.

"Suddenly we heard an enormous creaking and cracking sound with the tree falling apart," Simon West, who lives in Tipton St John near Sidmouth, Devon, told the Mirror.

"All our electricity was taken out, setting off our smoke alarms - it was a bit traumatic."