Torrential rain leads to flood warning

Flood warnings were in place across the West Midlands today as the region suffered torrential downpours, causing buildings to flood and weekend events to be cancelled.

A fortnight's worth of rain is expected to fall in just 24 hours as the Midlands is buffeted by stormy weather.

Forecasters say up to two inches could fall today, as much as would be typically seen in a fortnight in September. Strong gusts of up to 50mph are also expected, forcing organisers to pull the plug on weekend events.

A football tournament planned for tomorrow has been called off after a Walsall park flooded.

Leamore Park was due to host mini-soccer matches for under nines teams playing in the Walsall Junior Youth League. Dozens of young players will be disappointed but the ground is flooded.

A classic car show which was expected to attract 3,000 visitors to Himley Hall in Dudley cannot go ahead as the ground is saturated.

Walsall-based organisers Transtar Promotions made the decision to cancel following a site visit yesterday.

Wednesbury Library was evacuated today after an attack by metal thieves left the roof at risk of caving in.

Rain saturated ceilings at the building after lead was stripped from the roof.