Parts of the south west are on yellow alert for thunderstorms this afternoon (Friday).

Farmers needing rain could see their dreams answered as the Met Office is predicting as much as 20-30mm in an hour.

The yellow alert is live now across the majority of Cornwall and Devon, a swathe of land from Camborne to just past Exeter.

Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected and the Met Office is warning drivers, in particular, as there is likely to be spray, standing water and even hail.

Some sites could see 20-30mm in a hour - and up to 50mm in two or three hours.

Since the south west is in drought, such a large amount of rain, while needed, may cause flooding as the land struggles to absorb it.

Lightning is also expected, so the Met Office is warning of power outages and possible damage to buildings.

The alert began at 2.30pm and lasts until 8pm.