Torrential rain causes roads and rail chaos

Drivers faced a nightmare on the roads and railways after two inches of rain battered the region, grounding its transport network to a halt.

Train users were hit with delays of up to 40 minutes and motorists were stuck in traffic due to the downpour.

Forecasters today confirmed Birmingham was officially the wettest place in the country yesterday and more rain and thunder is expected this afternoon.

But the summer is soon set to return - with the Met Office issuing its first heat health alert in three years with predictions of a heatwave and temperatures set to soar to 32C (90F).

Passengers faced delays on train services between Walsall and Rugeley and Kidderminster and Leamington Spa due to flooding on the lines. A main route through Four Ashes, in South Staffordshire, was left under inches of water. And drivers were also forced to slow to a crawl along the A4123 Birmingham New Road in Oldbury after water overwhelmed drains and engulfed two lanes.

In Gloucester Road, Friar Park, Wednesbury, raw sewage flowed into the streets and gardens.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: "Everyone is terrified that this is going to reach their homes."