Thunderstorms bring flooding and travel disruption

Homes in North Lanarkshire and Perthshire have been flooded and the M8 was closed after overnight thunderstorms brought torrential rain.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said a number of cars had become temporarily trapped on the M8, which has now closed eastbound.

Scotrail said railway services across the country were also being disrupted, with lightning strikes causing power outages.

There are no reports of any casualties.

The fire service said a number of homes were flooded in Airdrie, while they have also been in attendance on the M8 after the dual carriageway was badly affected by flooding between junctions five and seven.

Police are advising people to avoid the area completely as diversion routes are also becoming flooded and impassable.

Fife Council said the reopening of some schools in the area had been delayed because of the weather, with Benarty primary school staying closed and a possible late start for those in Cardenden and Lochgelly.

The fire service control room in Edinburgh said they had received more than 500 calls through the night amid widespread thunder and lightning and torrential rain.

Images posted to social media showed cars floating in the car park at a Falkirk hotel and at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.