Torrential rain and power cuts brought a part of South Shields to a standstill.

Dozens of businesses, including the Shields Gazette offices in Chapter Row, were affected.

The new Asda store in South Shields was also forced to close after rainwater seeped into the building and caused flooding.

One customer leaving the Coronation Street store at about 3.45pm said: "All the tills are off and there is water down the aisles. We were told the shop will be closed for at least an hour."

Other town centre shops were forced to shut their doors due to lack of electricity as shoppers, many dressed in summer wear, took refuge in doorways and under the Metro bridge.

WH Smiths, in King Street, was also affected by the heavy downpour as water flooded the store. Firefighters from Hebburn were called to try to soak up the water.

Fire crews were called to unblock flooded roads. For a short time, Ocean Road was closed to traffic while firefighters soaked up the excess water as drains were unable to cope with the sudden downpour.

Traffic lights were also affected with many not working throughout the Riverside area while hundreds of homes near the town centre were also left without electricity.

Were you affected by the storms? Call our newsdesk on 427 4858 or email your stories and storm pictures to gazette.news@northeast-press.co.uk

See tomorrow's Gazette for latest reports on the storm.