SUFFOLK appeared to have escaped the worst of violent storms which hit parts of the country this afternoon.

SUFFOLK appeared to have escaped the worst of violent storms which hit parts of the country this afternoon.

Heavy rain, driven by high winds, caused chaos in many regions on the last day of the school term.

Motorways were flooded across the Midlands, the M25 was described as a 100-mile-long traffic jam and tube and rail services were badly hit.

New flooding came after the miserable summer of 2008 which has seen serious damage in the North, Midlands and West.

Drivers trying to get away for the school holidays were hit, as were commuters trying to get back to Suffolk where the sun came out in mid-afternoon after three hours of persistent rain.

Further north, this afternoon's meeting at Nottingham was abandoned half way through the races.