Downpour causes floods.

FLASH floods hit Tyneside after torrential rain swept across the region.

Drivers faced horrendous conditions last night as they returned home from bank holiday weekend trips.

More than 9mm of rain fell in an hour. Met Office spokeswoman Sarah Holland said: "There was a lot of rain between 7pm and 8pm, with up to 9.8mm falling in some parts.

"The monthly average rainfall for August is 74.2mm, so it is around one-seventh of the monthly total.

"This was caused by unsettled weather moving through, causing heavy downpours in that hour. "The North East was almost on the edge of it, however. It was worse to the west."

Ms Holland said that the wet weather is due to return at the end of the week, although the rain will not be as heavy.

She added: "Today there will be sunshine, but it will get cloudier and there will be a few showers overnight.

"Tomorrow it will be bright and dry, but with a bit more cloud. Thursday and Friday will be unsettled again with a bit more rain."

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LIKE A RIVER: Alnwick was badly hit by the torrential rain which fell across the North East last night

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