UK weather forecast: Rain to linger across Britain this weekend, says Met Office

'It will feel better when the sun is out, but nothing summer really'

Weather forecasters say the worst of the wet weather is over with some sun expected next week. (MetOffice)

The thunderstorms that brought torrential floods, transport delays and evacuations look set to abate over the weekend.

But those hoping for a sunny day at the seaside are set to be disappointed, as showers are expected across much of the country, forecasters said.

There will however be the occasional dry spot and Met Office weather forecaster Marco Petagma said despite the lingering wet weather, it would be warmer today with temperatures of 18C and 19C in the south east of the country,.

“It will feel better when the sun is out, but nothing summery really," he added.

While the wet weather was fairly typical for June it had been exceptionally bad over the last week, he said.

Thursday saw significant flooding hit parts of northwest England. Several homes were evacuated and roads and train lines closed - causing travel misery as motorists were forced to abandon cars.

The RAF was called in at Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, when the River Steeping burst its banks after three days of downpours, with water reportedly rising to about 2ft.

The county council issued a state of emergency, saying the flooding posed a risk to residents, so airmen were asked to plug the breach in the river bank.

Passengers were also left stranded on a flood-hit train in Northamptonshire.

However Mr Petagma said the "worst is over” and there were no weather warnings in place.

There was a hint things would improve early next week, with temperatures hitting 23C to 24C in the south-east of the country on Tuesday, he added.

But he said that could be "short-lived with showers coming in the evening.”

Additional reporting by PA