Sudden stormclouds give Shropshire a drenching
People out and about in Shropshire were wishing indoor hospitality had already opened as they got caught in thunderstorms that brought rain and hailstones to the county.
Forecasters had promised 'light' rain showers and sunny intervals on Tuesday and the drenching took many by surprise.
The showery forecast continues throughout this week and into next as a weather front wiggles to and fro across the UK.
And while outdoor diners will be glad of gazebos and other shelters put up by enterprising pub and cafe owners, the rain is welcome relief to farmers and gardeners.
April was one one of the driest - and coldest - on record and there had been fears that crops would be hit as a critical growing time in the agricultural calender.
Photographer and stormchasers captured photos of the black clouds, including these taken in Ellesmere on Tuesday afternoon.
