A YELLOW weather warning of rain, thunder, lightning  strikes and hail has been issued for Dorset until this evening.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms from midday today until 9pm tonight.

Motorists are warned there may be some disruption to travel this afternoon and evening and delays to public transport are possible.

A spokesman for the weather forecaster said: "There is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by standing water and possibly hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus.

"Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible and some short term loss of power is possible, as is damage to a few buildings or structures from lightning strikes.

"Heavy showers and some thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon over some southern and eastern parts of England.

"Downpours could bring around 20 mm of rain within an hour, and perhaps 30-40 mm in a few hours for a few locations, leading to possible surface water flooding in places."