A NORTH-EAST pensioner had a lucky escape yesterday when lightning struck his house.

Ernest Spinks, 74, was blown out of his garden shed when the bolt hit his chimney stack.

Mr Spinks, of Quaking Houses, near Stanley, County Durham, said: "I was standing just inside the door of my shed when I heard a big explosion.

"It was a funny sensation. It felt as though I was actually exploding.

"The blast must have sucked me out of the shed, and as I lay on my back I saw chunks of brick raining down around me.

"If just one of them had hit me, I would have been badly hurt. Luckily I was not struck."

Mr Spinks was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham for a check-up. His home - and that of a neighbour - had to be evacuated because of structural damage.

The storm was just one of many that swept the region after a weekend of scorching weather.

Parts of North Yorkshire were the among the worst affected, with several homes and businesses flooded. Fire crews went to the aid of residents after flooding in the Leeds Road area of Harrogate.

Last night, the Environment Agency issued a flood warning for Wensleydale and Swaledale, after torrential rain in the area.

There was chaos on the A69 at Haltwhistle, Northumberland, as surface water brought traffic to a standstill at about 5.30pm, blocking the route for ten miles in both directions for more than an hour.

Last night, the A19 at Billingham, Teesside, was closed because of the severe weather conditions.

Heavy rain also affected drivers on the A66 in the Teesside area.