Holidaymakers preparing for a weekend getaway face the risk of travel disruption after the Met Office issued a weather warning for heavy downpours and thunderstorms for parts of Britain.

Thundery weather is forecast for Wirral on both Saturday and Sunday - http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/li/weather.in.Wirral/ - with a yellow "be aware" rain warning issued for the Northwest covering tonight into tomorrow morning.

Weather experts have warned some regions may be hit by localised flooding from Saturday evening into Sunday, as thousands plan to set off for their summer break.

Rachel Vince, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said south-east of England and East Anglia would be worst hit by torrential downpours, with popular holiday destinations in the South West also at risk.

"On Saturday, pretty much the whole country will have a fine start with spells of sunshine," she said.

"But, after a pleasant morning, thunderstorms moving in from the Continent will affect south-east England and the Midlands by mid-afternoon. We could see a repeat of the thunder and lightning seen recently.

"By Sunday, the south-east corner of England is at risk of torrential downpours and localised flooding. The South West is also in that risk of thunderstorms."

Temperatures will remain warm for most of the country, however.

The Met Office issued a "yellow" warning of rain following concerns that heavy showers and thunderstorms expected over France on Saturday could move north to affect south-east England and East Anglia.

It said: "The public should be aware of the risk of localised disruption to travel due to surface water flooding.

"The start time of this warning has been brought forward to cater for the risk of localised disruption associated with the heavy overnight rain moving north across parts of Northern Ireland, Northwest England and Southwest Scotland."

The Environment Agency had seven flood alerts in place in areas where flooding is possible, including the South West, Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia.