Thunder and lightning in skies above South Tyneside

Hot and sunny weather has come to a sudden halt with the arrival of thunder, lightning and heavy showers in South Tyneside.
Lightning in the Simonside area of South Shields this evening. Picture courtesy of Asif Amin.Lightning in the Simonside area of South Shields this evening. Picture courtesy of Asif Amin.
Lightning in the Simonside area of South Shields this evening. Picture courtesy of Asif Amin.

There has been heavy rainfall across the area for the past few hours, with forks of lightning lighting up the evening sky.

Readers have been sending us their pictures and videos of the weather.