A YELLOW weather warning for rain has been forecast for Merseyside.

From 6am on Thursday heavy showers and 'isolated' thunderstorms are expected throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

The storms may miss many places in the North West but where they will develop intense downpours are likely.

These downpours will bring a low risk of flooding to roads, transport routes, homes and businesses.

There may also be a chance of lightning and hail.

The Met Office's chief forecaster's assessment said: "Isolated thunderstorms are expected to push north across southern England early Thursday, before developing across other parts of England and Wales during the early afternoon.

"25 to 30 mm of rain may fall within an hour, perhaps 50 mm in 3 hours, however such totals are likely to be very isolated, with many places staying dry.

"Some intense showers and thunderstorms may continue overnight into Friday morning before clearing into the North Sea."