Parts of the UK experienced one-third of a month's rainfall in just 12 hours, forecasters said yesterday.

Scotland escaped the worst of the weather problems after London and the surrounding areas were affected by the downpour overnight on Thursday. Wales and north-west England were also hit.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain in London, south-east England, south-west England and Wales.

The wet weather was a consequence of settled low pressure systems moving from west to east across the southern part of the UK.

Daniel Adamson, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "In the 12 hours up to 6am, central London had about 10mm of rain.

"Places just to the south and east of London had up to 20mm. That is probably getting on for one-third of a month's rainfall.

"The southern counties have had the most of it."

By comparison, west central Scotland experienced rainfall of less than 1mm, although rain was heavier in the north-west.