Torrential rain in the UK - in pictures

A satellite image showing clouds covering the UK amid a warning for severe flooding Photograph: MeteoGroup/EUMETSAT/PA

A pedestrian finds his route blocked on Manchester Road in Handforth, Cheshire. The Environment Agency last night urged communities in the north and east of England, the Midlands and much of Wales to be prepared for flooding as two bands of very heavy rain cross the UK on Friday and Saturday Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

Craig Willis, caretaker at Green Vale Homes, places sandbags outside homes in Whitworth, Rochdale Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

Torchbearer Gemma Flaxman carries the flame on the Olympic Torch Relay leg through Southend-on-Sea, Essex, amid heavy rain Photograph: Ben Birchall/LOCOG/PA

The Prince of Wales speaks with a local resident equipped for the worst in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, an area badly affected by the floods that hit parts of West Yorkshire last week Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Joe Harper, two, plays in the water in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Rain continues to fall on the swollen River Ouse in Yorkshire Photograph: Bethany Clarke/Getty Images

Spectators stand in the rain during the first practice session at the Silverstone circuit ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix this weekend Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Wet and muddy conditions at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Learning to drive in York Photograph: John Giles/PA

Tennis fans cover up on Murray Mount on Day 11 of Wimbledon Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

A man selling Pimm's sits in the rain during the second practice session of the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone Photograph: Paul Hackett/Reuters

Festival-goers endure the rain at the main stage during the T in the Park Festival at Balado in Kinross Photograph: Ross Gilmore/Redferns via Getty Images

Braving the rain, a visitor views a replica Spitfire aircraft on display at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, Gloucestershire Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Spectators shelter from the rain as they wait for the Olympic flame to pass through Newport Photograph: Ben Birchall/LOCOG/PA

Tennis fans under umbrellas on 'Murray Mount' before the start of the men's singles final at Wimbledon Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Motor racing fans walk past puddles on their way to the Silverstone circuit ahead of the British F1 Grand Prix Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP

A member of the fire services mans the pump outside a property near Yealmpton on the river Yealm, after heavy rainfall in Devon Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA

Spectators huddle under umbrellas in a rain break during the T20 match between Hampshire Royals and Sussex Sharks at Ageas Bowl in Southampton Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The crowd at the Wireless festival 2012 at Hyde Park in London Photograph: Ian West/PA

People walk along Westminster bridge during a rain shower in London Photograph: Andrew Cowie/AFP/Getty Images