THUNDER and lightning swept across the county overnight - forcing one Suffolk family to flee from their home.

THUNDER and lightning swept across the county overnight - forcing one Suffolk family to flee from their home.

The bright sunshine and boiling temperatures of the last week were replaced with a severe lashing of heavy rain - the first significant downpour in several days.

One house in Dennington, north of Framlingham, had to be evacuated after the rain caused flash flooding.

Police said the house's location, in a dip close to a hill, had made it vulnerable to the inclement weather.

The rain marks the end of the recent heatwave, according to Evening Star weatherman Ken Blowers.

Yesterday saw Suffolk basking in the hottest temperatures of the year in Suffolk so far with the mercury hitting 27C.

The humid weather which has drenched the county in Mediterranean sunshine had been pushed into the UK from southern Europe.

But Mr Blowers said a cold front moving in from the west is set to bring with it more showers - and the potential for more thunder storms.

“It is the end of the hot weather for now,” he said.

“Temperatures are set to drop to the average expected for the beginning of July. It will be a steady cool off over the weekend.”

With temperatures falling to the average levels expected for this time of year - about 21C - Mr Blowers said conditions would feel cooler and more comfortable.