A MAN was taken to hospital after lightning struck a house in Suffolk, while residents in Woodbridge had to contend with flash flooding.Today, forecasters predicted the showers which deluged the county yesterday afternoon would continue over the next few days.

A MAN was taken to hospital after lightning struck a house in Suffolk, while residents in Woodbridge had to contend with flash flooding.

Today, forecasters predicted the showers which deluged the county yesterday afternoon would continue over the next few days.

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for the fire service said crews had attended a lightning strike at St Margaret's Place, Stradishall, near Haverhill.

No damage was caused but one man was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties after being treated at the scene with oxygen.

Elsewhere in Woodbridge yesterday afternoon thunderstorms and flash floods left rain water running in the streets and flowing up to people's doorsteps.

Tim Davies, 25, and Alex Lamont, 24, who live in Doric Place, were affected by the downpour.

They said: “It can be a real river down here at times when it rains. We fetched some sandbags from across the road because the water was coming up right to the doorstep.

“The whole area was completely underwater. Part of the problem was that it was hailing quite hard - it sounded like a machine gun on the window - and we think this blocked the drains.

“It was a real flash flood. Fortunately it didn't reach into the house so we were fairly lucky.”

The Evening Star's weatherman Ken Blowers said around half an inch of rain fell in the town in less than 10 minutes yesterday afternoon.

“The rain has been of a tropical intensity accompanied by large hailstones,” he said. “The total rain and hail measured was half an inch in just under 10 minutes.”

John Law, from WeatherQuest, said: “In the next few days there may still be one or two showers on the coast but I think this low pressure will move out to the North Sea and bring in some north westerly winds which should keep us a little bit drier.

“It will also be a little bit brighter with some sunshine - although I think we can expect temperatures will drop a little by Wednesday and Thursday to around 17/18C, which is about average for this time of year.”