LIGHTNING forked across the sky and rain battered Bolton last night as a thunderstorm raged across the region.

The Met Office had issued a 17-hour thunderstorm warning for yesterday and today as it descended across the North West.

A yellow weather warning remains in place across much of the U.K. today as the storm begins moving away.

North West Motorway Police posted that they had received numerous reports across the region of flash flooding, resulting in collisions.

They warned people to drive to the road conditions and drop their speed.

Residents across Bolton took to social media to post their incredible photos of the storm, which went on for much of last night.

Click through our gallery above to see some of the best photos.