The main terminal at Exeter Airport was flooded as a torrential downpour saw about two feet of water hit the front of the building.

Some passengers were taken to the arrivals hall while others who had been through check-in were taken through to the departure gate.

Other travellers on flights that had landed were kept on the aircraft until the water subsided. Firefighters were called to pump the water out.

Shoppers and staff had to flee the British Heart Foundation shop on Fore Street in Liskeard, South East Cornwall, after its roof collapsed, shortly before 3pm yesterday.

The neighbouring business, The Warehouse gift shop, also had to close following the incident. Emergency services said there were no injuries.

Other parts of the region were badly hit by the weather, with an estimated 25mm of rain falling at Exeter Airport within two hours.

The Environment Agency posted flood warnings across the region, however, the Met Office last night predicted an end to heavy rainfall. A spokesman said: "Thursday is likely to be a lot better than the rest of this week, although we are possibly going to see more rainfall as we head into the weekend."