A WEATHER warning for heavy rain has been issued by the Met Office.

The yellow alert is valid until 8pm tonight with the Met Office warning heavy showers could bring travel disruption to Bournemouth, Poole and the rest of the county.

A spokesperson said: “Heavy showers continue to develop, particularly near southern coasts and also more widely across Dorset and eastern parts of Somerset. A few places will see 15-20 mm of rain fall in less than an hour leading to surface water flooding on some roads.”

Flooding has so far been reported in Cabot Lane and Willis Way in Poole, while the A35 Dorchester Bypass is partially blocked in both directions and traffic is at a standstill on the A35 westbound between Puddletown and Stinsford Hill. Water is reported to be one foot deep in some areas.

Next week is set to be largely dry with temperatures peaking at 19C on Tuesday.