MORE than an inch of rain fell as heavy downpours drenched Suffolk overnight - and the unsettled weather is set to continue.

Local weather man Ken Blowers said last night’s rainfall was the heaviest since May 27, 2008.

He said: “In a 14-hour deluge last night one million and a quarter tonnes of rain fell on Ipswich measuring 1.30 inches in total.

“That is the heaviest rain since May 2008.”

Weather forecaster Joe Osborne said there would be more patchy showers throughout today and into tomorrow with cold wet weather over the Bank Holiday weekend.

There is a threat of another heavy spell in the early hours of tomorrow morning as a weather front moves in from the south coast.

He said: “We have had reports of up to 30mm of rain in places overnight.

“Today will stay quite cloudy with patchy, light rain but in terms of totals there will not be as much rain as overnight.

“There could be another heavy pulse of rain late this evening and into the morning.”

The forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend will see blustery showers with cooler temperatures as the mercury struggles to reach 18 or 19C.

Mr Osborne added: “On Saturday we should get away with a fine and dry day the way it is looking at the moment.

“The second half of Bank Holiday Sunday there is a chance of blustery showers carrying on into Monday.

“The showers should be really limited to the east coast.”

A flood watch alert was issued by the Environment Agency this evening for the River Deben from, and including, Debenham to Bromeswell and the River Lark from Clopton to Martlesham.