SPECTACULAR electrical storms and flash flooding were seen in parts of East Lancashire last night during bouts of torrential rainfall.

Forked lightning, like this image captured in the skies above Darwen, was seen in several areas.

Parts of Darwen and Chorley were particularly affected with some drains unable to handle the volume of water and fire crews called-out to several reports of basements and cellars flooding.

The deluge last night came just days after United Utilities began a hosepipe ban and British Waterways revealed plans to close down the Leeds to Liverpool canal though East Lancashire due to lack of rainfall.