After some of the hottest temperatures on record huge thunderstorms have broken out across Suffolk and Essex.

Ipswich Star: Lightning over Suffolk Picture: ALEX EMMALightning over Suffolk Picture: ALEX EMMA (Image: Archant)

The Met Office has had a yellow warning for thunderstorms in place since 3pm on Thursday afternoon.

The storms come after the region experienced some of it's hottest temperatures ever.

In Essex the mercury has hit 37.7C in Writtle near Chelmsford, breaking an almost 80-year-old record for the county.

In Suffolk Santon Downham was deemed the warmest part of the county at 36.3C.

Ipswich Star: Lightning arrived across Essex this evening Picture: ALEX DUKESLightning arrived across Essex this evening Picture: ALEX DUKES (Image: Archant)

Have you captured the storms tonight? Send us you pictures on Facebook or via email.

Ipswich Star: Norwich Road in Ipswich experiences the storms Picture: JASON COOPERNorwich Road in Ipswich experiences the storms Picture: JASON COOPER (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The storms followed the hottest day this year Picture; ALEX DUKESThe storms followed the hottest day this year Picture; ALEX DUKES (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: A fork of lightning in Suffolk Picture: JAMES HADLEYA fork of lightning in Suffolk Picture: JAMES HADLEY

Ipswich Star: Lightning over Suffolk as a huge thunderstorm brought the sultry summer conditions to an abrupt end Picture: LEE PAGELightning over Suffolk as a huge thunderstorm brought the sultry summer conditions to an abrupt end Picture: LEE PAGE (Image: Archant)