Severe feather warning

Thunder, lightning and rain rolling in as mercury hits 30C

- Allister Hagger

AS parts of the country were throbbing to the sound of thunder, this ruffled robin was far from chirpy.

The soggy songbird found itself caught in one of many heavy summer showers as Met Office experts issued a severe weather warning.

The eyecatching snap was taken by Paul Watkins who spotted the redbreasted robin trying to shelter in his Cheltenham back garden.

Paul, 75, said: "It was immediately after a heavy shower and the robin was trying to presumably dry out and warm up. It appears to be having a bad hair day."

Lightning and heavy downpours rolled across the country yesterday and, with the temperature hitting 30C in some parts, muggy humidity caused the Met Office to issue a yellow alert for thunderstorms that covered most of England and Wales.

Lashed

Motorists were warned to brace for spray, sudden floods and road closures with the potential for travel chaos in torrential rain.