Widespread disruption is expected to blight major transport routes for a second day after fierce storms and torrential downpours caused flash floods across parts of the UK.

Train services between Scotland and England have been axed in the wake of Thursday's freak deluges that saw rail lines blocked by flood water, landslips and fallen trees.

One man died after being swept away in a Shropshire stream, while roads were closed, properties were flooded and hundreds of homes were evacuated.

Northumbria Police Superintendent Gillian Mitchell said: "This has been a challenging 24 hours for all of us - motorists, residents and police officers alike.

"It is hard to comprehend that some of the photographs in today's papers and on the internet are of our region.

"We are continuing to work with all of our partners, including the Highways Agency, to remove abandoned vehicles and reunite them with their owners, to keep traffic moving and to reassure residents in isolated communities."