A man has died after being swept away by floodwater in as heavy rain caused chaos in area.

West Mercia Police said the man, belived to be in his 60s, was overcome by the water in a stream at Bittlerley, near Ludlow, Shropshire, shortly after 10.30am on Thursday.

His body was found at around 11:45am after an extensive search by police and fire officers. He was recovered from the water and pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.

West Merica Police has said the man has not been formally identified.

The discovery follows a rescue of a 90-year-old man by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service from his vehicle following heavy downpours Bridgnorth area of the county.

The environment agency has currently issues eight flood warnings across the midlands and a further 48 flood alerts across the north east and north west of England.

The Met Office has issued a warning that torrential rain may hit many central areas of central and northern parts of the country.

Nick Grahame, Met Office Operations Centre Manager said: "We are keeping a very close eye on the thunderstorms as they develop.

By their very nature, by no means everyone will see a thunderstorm but a few places will see a lot of rain in a short space of time.

Our advisors are providing frequent updates to the emergency services around the country and are in regular contact with the organisers of the Olympic Torch Relay in the East Midlands."

A spokesman for West Merica Police said: "With heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast, West Mercia Police urges drivers to take it easy and not take any risks should they come across a flood.

"It is very difficult to tell just how deep floodwater is or what problems there might be below its surface.

"For their own safety, drivers should not take the risk. People have died after becoming trapped in their vehicles or even been washed away by rapidly rising water levels."

Flooding was also reported in the West Midlands, Ulster Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had taken more 170 calls relating to heavy rain and flooding since 9.45am on 28 June.