Flood warnings after month's rain falls in one day

LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) The Environment Agency issued flood warnings across many parts of Britain today as torrential rain swamped northern and central areas.

Homes in Northamptonshire and South and West Yorkshire were hit by flooding, while train services were suspended between Birmingham and the east Midlands.

The Met Office said 88 millimetres (3.5 inches) of rain had fallen on Birmingham in 24 hours, more than it normally gets in a month at this time of year.

In Yorkshire, 51 mm had fallen in just six hours.

The storms looked set to wash out the first day of the final test against the West Indies at Chester-le-Street in Durham, while racing was cancelled at York.

Severe weather warnings of heavy rain were in force till mid afternoon for northern England, with further warnings running till the evening for Wales and southwest England.

''There's been a tremendous amount of rain overnight,'' said an Environment Agency spokesman.

''All areas, from the Midlands, East Anglia and in the north are pretty saturated and will react to further heavy rain.'' ''There is the very real possibility of further flood warnings being issued. The rivers are running very high.

''We are reminding people to be vigilant, especially if you live near a main river.'' Three severe flood warnings -- the most serious category, indicating ''extreme danger to life and property'' -- were declared in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

A Met Office spokesman said some heavy showers would continueon tomorrow with clearer weather expected for Sunday.

REUTERS SLD ND1732