String of accidents after heavy rain

Heavy rain has led to a string of accidents on West Midland roads with forecasters warning today of more downpours to come for the region.

The Met Office has admitted that its prediction back in April that it was 'odds-on for a barbecue summer' had been hopelessly wrong.

Tourism chiefs now fear the third wet summer in a row could put some families off British holidays for good. Almost an inch of rain fell in the region before 8 o'clock last night, causing problems on the roads for drivers.

On the M6 Toll in Staffordshire, a motorist was treated for shock after his BMW M5 spun in wet conditions and hit the central barrier between junctions T4 at Weeford and T3, for Sutton Coldfield, at 3.50pm yesterday.

In Stone, a teenage motorist was cut free from a Fiat Punto after losing control and hitting a tree. Emergency services were called to the accident in York Street at 1.30pm yesterday.

The driver was cut free by firefighters and taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Rain also stopped play at a fun day in Walsall yesterday, which was cancelled due to bad weather.

The community fun day was set to be held at Holland Park, in Brownhills, from 10.30am to 4pm.

It has been rescheduled for August 24.

In Bloxwich, a ground inspection will be carried out tomorrow ahead of the town's annual carnival at King George V playing field on Saturday.

Carnival chairman Ken Worley today said: "Everything is in place for this year's show. We will be carrying out an inspection of the grounds tomorrow because we've had quite a bit of rain in the last few days.

"There's a bit of breeze in the air today and hopefully that will help to dry out the ground."

Forecasters reckon after a soggy July, during which almost a month's worth of rain fell in the first two weeks alone, August is expected to be no better.

Temperatures are today expected to reach a maximum of 17C (63F) and 16C (61F) tomorrow.