Shropshire was bracing itself for more flood chaos today as torrential rain, thunder and lightning swept across the county.

Up to four inches of rain was expected to and areas which bore the brunt of the floods last month were “expecting the worst”.

Huge thunder storms with lightning hit many areas last night and Shropshire Star reader Gavin Russell, of Much Wenlock, captured this dramatic photograph, of forked lightning over the town.

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He said: “It was amazing and carried on from about 9pm to 10.30pm. It was incredible to see.”

John Warner, Shropshire Star weatherman, said the forecast was “not at all good”.

“There was quite a heavy thunder storm last night, which mostly broke out over west Shropshire,” he said. “Today’s rain is pretty widespread. They have already had up to an inch of rain in central and southern England. There are very bright colours on the radar.

“I shall be glad when today is over, it’s not looking at all good.”

Mr Warner said today would be the worst day, but showery weather was expected to last through the weekend.

Bridgnorth District Council’s emergency plan was put into operation and staff were out delivering sandbags to areas at risk today.

Rose Norman, of the council, said the Environment Agency had told officers to expect flash flooding.

Much Wenlock town clerk Anne Downes said emergency sandbags were being delivered to properties today in the hope of avoiding any repeat of the flooding on June 25.

“Councillors are going around to check that people have sandbags in position and making sure they have everything they need,” she said. “The weather forecast is very bad so we are expecting the worst, but we are just keeping our fingers crossed.”

Shopkeepers in Tenbury Wells were on alert, although a spokeswoman for South Shropshire District Council said there were no immediate threats of further flooding in the area.

Flash floods hit North Yorkshire last night. Dozens of residents were evacuated after Skeeby Beck burst its banks, causing flooding in Gilling West, Hartforth, Melsonby, Ravensworth, Kirby Hill and Middleton Tyas, near Richmond.

The downpours started in southern England in the early hours and are expected to last most of the day. Central England and Wales were likely to see heavy rain and the north of the country is likely to have heavy rain tonight.

Flood watches were in place on the River Severn in the Vyrnwy catchment and the upper Severn in Mid Wales.