By . Michael Powell . Hundreds of British holidaymakers had their summer getaway plans needlessly disrupted yesterday after Heathrow Airport cancelled one in five flights for a storm that never happened. Forecasters warned of a thundery conditions sweeping through London between 4pm and 6pm, leading to the cancellation of more than 20 flights. Around 100 jets would normally take off from Heathrow during that period. But frustrated passengers – many with children – glared through the terminal windows at a cloudless sky. The deluge hit the West Country and the Midlands instead – more than a month’s rainfall fell in the regions yesterday. There were even tornados in some places. Scroll down for video . Deluge: A couple shelter from the rain on the beach in Brighton as rain swept through parts of the South East - missing out parts of London . Soaked: A Cambridge University student is forced to cover her head with a graduation gown while a woman in Brighton decides the rain will not dampen her spirits . The Gloucestershire village of Westonbirt was the wettest place in Britain, with 3in of rain falling in 11 hours. ‘More than half of that total fell between 9am and 11am,’ said Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan. ‘Almost one and a half times the average rainfall for the whole of July fell during the day.’ Patients on a cardiology ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath were transferred after heavy rain brought down part of a ceiling at 2am. The 27 patients, who were all unharmed, were taken to other parts of the hospital. There was localised flooding and road closures due to the sudden downpours, and the Environment Agency issued 60 warnings across the South West and Midlands. Heavy rain also fell in Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. The Environment Agency’s John Curtin said: ‘Intense heavy rainfall will bring surface water flood risk for England throughout the weekend. Huddled together: A group of girls on Brighton beach seemed to be enjoying a picnic in the wet weather . Still catching the rays: A woman desperately tries to make the most of a hint of sun as she lies on the cobbles on Brighton beach . ‘Flooding can happen very quickly and the public are urged to keep checking local weather forecasts and the Environment Agency website for information.’ Meanwhile, freak hail storms hit Coventry, Derby and Sheffield, and there were reports of mini-tornados in Swindon. Manchester Airport said an electrical surge caused by thunderstorms had led to some minor delays. Throughout the UK there were 3,000 lightning strikes during just two hours in the early hours of yesterday. A family of four were made homeless after the roof of their semi-detached bungalow was set on fire by lightning in Holland-on-Sea, Essex. But as the wild weather continued to move north last night, the UK was still under a ‘yellow’ heatwave warning, advising people to be ‘alert and ready’. The Met Office said there was a 60 per cent chance of the heatwave continuing today, with temperatures predicted to cool gradually next week. Wet: Following a week where temperatures soared to the hottest of the year - drivers on Leeds ring road where met with downpours yesterday . Sodden shoppers: People walk under the cover of their umbrellas outside the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham . Screens: Billboards around the Royal Liverpool golf course in Hoylake, Merseyside, warn spectators of severe weather at The Open Championship . Under cover: A man in Leeds walks through the rain-drenched streets while a group of women group together for protection in Brighton . Impromptu martial arts: Three men and two women practice tai chi in the middle of a street in Birmingham .
More than 20 flights were cancelled between 4pm and 6pm amid concerns thundery weather was on the way .
Frustrated passengers – many with children – glared through the London terminal windows at a cloudless sky .
The deluge hit the West Country and the Midlands instead – more than a month’s rainfall fell in the regions yesterday .
Patients on a ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath were transferred after heavy rain brought down the ceiling .
By . Michael Powell . Hundreds of British holidaymakers had their summer getaway plans needlessly disrupted yesterday after Heathrow Airport cancelled one in five flights for a storm that never happened. Forecasters warned of a thundery conditions sweeping through London between 4pm and 6pm, leading to the cancellation of more than 20 flights. Around 100 jets would normally take off from Heathrow during that period. But frustrated passengers – many with children – glared through the terminal windows at a cloudless sky. The deluge hit the West Country and the Midlands instead – more than a month’s rainfall fell in the regions yesterday. There were even tornados in some places. Scroll down for video . Deluge: A couple shelter from the rain on the beach in Brighton as rain swept through parts of the South East - missing out parts of London . Soaked: A Cambridge University student is forced to cover her head with a graduation gown while a woman in Brighton decides the rain will not dampen her spirits . The Gloucestershire village of Westonbirt was the wettest place in Britain, with 3in of rain falling in 11 hours. ‘More than half of that total fell between 9am and 11am,’ said Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan. ‘Almost one and a half times the average rainfall for the whole of July fell during the day.’ Patients on a cardiology ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath were transferred after heavy rain brought down part of a ceiling at 2am. The 27 patients, who were all unharmed, were taken to other parts of the hospital. There was localised flooding and road closures due to the sudden downpours, and the Environment Agency issued 60 warnings across the South West and Midlands. Heavy rain also fell in Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. The Environment Agency’s John Curtin said: ‘Intense heavy rainfall will bring surface water flood risk for England throughout the weekend. Huddled together: A group of girls on Brighton beach seemed to be enjoying a picnic in the wet weather . Still catching the rays: A woman desperately tries to make the most of a hint of sun as she lies on the cobbles on Brighton beach . ‘Flooding can happen very quickly and the public are urged to keep checking local weather forecasts and the Environment Agency website for information.’ Meanwhile, freak hail storms hit Coventry, Derby and Sheffield, and there were reports of mini-tornados in Swindon. Manchester Airport said an electrical surge caused by thunderstorms had led to some minor delays. Throughout the UK there were 3,000 lightning strikes during just two hours in the early hours of yesterday. A family of four were made homeless after the roof of their semi-detached bungalow was set on fire by lightning in Holland-on-Sea, Essex. But as the wild weather continued to move north last night, the UK was still under a ‘yellow’ heatwave warning, advising people to be ‘alert and ready’. The Met Office said there was a 60 per cent chance of the heatwave continuing today, with temperatures predicted to cool gradually next week. Wet: Following a week where temperatures soared to the hottest of the year - drivers on Leeds ring road where met with downpours yesterday . Sodden shoppers: People walk under the cover of their umbrellas outside the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham . Screens: Billboards around the Royal Liverpool golf course in Hoylake, Merseyside, warn spectators of severe weather at The Open Championship . Under cover: A man in Leeds walks through the rain-drenched streets while a group of women group together for protection in Brighton . Impromptu martial arts: Three men and two women practice tai chi in the middle of a street in Birmingham .
between 4pm and 6pm, leading to the cancellation period. But frustrated passengers – many with children – glared through the terminal windows at a cloudless sky. The deluge hit the West Country and the Midlands instead – more than a month’s rainfall fell in the regions yesterday. There ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath were transferred after heavy rain brought down part of