A COMPUTER store in Blackburn is taking the unprecedented step of displaying thunderstorm warnings after managers became concerned about the damage caused to sensitive computer equipment by lighting strikes.

The storms can cause electrical surges resulting in the loss of data or even total system failure.

A spokesman for PC World said: "Our advice to customers is to watch the weather carefully and take simple precautions to protect their equipment. The recommendation is a surge protector."

"It may seem an unlikely occurrence, but almost one in ten calls to our helpline are about thunderstorms."