Kent has been battered by stormy weather with onlookers describing the scenes as "like a tornado".

Coastal areas have been particularly affected although heavy rain has fallen across the county.

Lightning has been seen over Dover and Canterbury just a day after Kent set the country's record temperature for the year.

Johnny Gleeson, 18, from Strood, was out with his family in Dymchurch when they were caught in the storm.

He said: "We were walking along the beach and it started within 10 seconds.

"It was like a tornado. Sand was flying up in a swivel and we had to take cover in a pub.

"This morning it was 25C and now everyone is running for cover."

Daisy Kartreiber, 21, was out looking for the lightning with her boyfriend along Ramsgate seafront when the weather changed.

She said: "It was so still and I thought we had better get back before it poured down.

"We turned around and the wind picked up out of nowhere and sand was thrown in our faces.

"Then tents from the Ramsgate music festival went up in the air and flew around.

"We looked towards the harbour and saw this cloud circling. It was incredible. It was like a tornado."

A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place until 2am tonight.

The stormy weather has caused disappointment for many stargazers hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare "blood moon".