FLASH floods took parts of Dorset by surprise this afternoon.

Claps of thunder could be heard shortly before 5pm as torrential rain quickly caused flooding in central Wimborne.

James Marshall, who was having his haircut in Wimborne when the storm started, said the water had climbed to a “few inches” deep at its peak and watched as staff from the Tourist Information Centre tried to clear the water from their premises.

“I had to dash out to my car because I had left my sun roof open,” he added.

James took pictures of cars driving through the water, which he said had drifted from West Borough through to the town centre.

Others took to Twitter to complain of flooding at Holton Heath and near the Bakers Arms Roundabout.