Pure chaos as Manchester hit by intense thunderstorms - with flights diverted, pubs evacuated, and streets flooded

There were biblical scenes in Greater Manchester last night after the region was hit by torrential rain and intense thunderstorms.

Pub-goers had to be evacuated, a number of flights had to be diverted, and athletes competing in the UK Athletics Championships in Manchester were met with exceptionally difficult conditions.

It came after the conurbation was issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms, following a short period of intense heat.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

Heavy disruption to transport and flooding of homes and businesses was predicted by the Met Office across much of the North West on Saturday (8 July) night.

In Chorlton, punters reported having to be evacuated from a Wetherspoons pub after it flooded. Footage sent to the M.E.N shows pools of water on the floor of the venue.

And at Escape to Freight Island in Manchester city centre, water could be seen gushing through the ceiling and pouring onto tables below as onlookers watched on.

At Manchester Airport, a number of planes had to be diverted, or were seen on flight tracking platforms circling the runway.

One passenger, whose flight was delayed, wrote on Twitter: "Rain, thunder, lightening over Manchester Airport. Flight delayed. The plane coming in is on its 3rd circle waiting to land."

Crazy scenes were also spotted at the UK Athletics Championships which took place in Manchester on Saturday night at Manchester Regional Arena.

Incredible pictures show athletes in the males 100m spring race battling torrential downpours, with Zharnel Hughes storming across the finish line to take the top spot.

Drivers are faced trying conditions on the regions roads and motorways, with many