Prolonged downpours hit much of the south and east of England as storms from mainland Europe led to some areas receiving up to a month's average rainfall for June in 24 hours.

The Environment Agency said that by 3pm, two rivers were on flood warning and 19 rivers across the country on flood watch.

The worst-hit county was Oxfordshire where fire and rescue crews were called to a number of flood-related incidents in Thame, Chinnor, Wheatley and Witney.

The county council said eight roads had been closed and a row of homes in the Tiddington area may have to be evacuated.

Richard Bowley of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We have responded very quickly to these calls and we are doing our best to help. We hope that drier weather will mean that problems subside as the day goes on.

"Our role at the moment is giving advice to people affected by flooding and assisting vulnerable people when necessary."

About 500 children were sent home from Peers School in Littlemore, Oxford, after it was feared pupils would have trouble getting home.

Tony Conlan, forecaster at MeteoGroup UK said that much of the country had been given a soaking as the band of rain moved eastwards.

"The worst hit areas have been Oxfordshire and counties to the south but there has also been heavy rain in parts of north-east England, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire."