Heavy downpours are expected to batter Southampton today, the Met Office has warned.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain as Storm Lilian lingers.

Forecasters have predicted that up to 70mm of rain could fall in the space of seven hours.

A sunny Saturday is not on the cards for Southampton, with rain expected to last until 4pm today, with periods of sunshine expected.

The warning came into force at 6am this morning and lasts until 1pm.

People have been told to expect flooding and delays on roads, while bus and train services are also likely to be affected.

The warning comes ahead of what could be the busiest August bank holiday on the roads on record.

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Liam Eslick, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “With that yellow warning, expect some small travel disruption.

“I know it’s the start of the bank holiday so people may be out and about trying to get to their holiday destinations.

“We do say take care when driving on roads, stick to the main roads where you can because more local tracks could see some surface water.

“It’s mainly going to be the rain.

“Winds will be pretty light in the south of England, though you may get the odd gust around the very far South East through the English Channel.”

Looking ahead to the Bank Holiday Monday, Mr Eslick said: “Monday looks like the best of the days.

“There will be more in the way of some sunshine and winds are expected to ease.

“It will be a lot calmer coming into the Bank Holiday Monday and it will be nice to have that extra day this weekend to enjoy.”