The average rainfall for the south of Hampshire for the whole of September is 74mm but between 10am on Friday and 10pm on Saturday a total of 30mm fell as heavy showers swept across the area.

A major event that had to be cancelled was The Royal Armouries Grand Military Tattoo, which was set to take place at Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill on Saturday.

Families looking forward to a First World War 90th anniversary salute, Highland pipes and drums and a Royal Navy freefall parachute team display were left disappointed after organisers were forced to call it off at the 11th hour because of the torrential rain.

Swimmers who had planned to make their way from Stokes Bay in Gosport to the Isle of Wight on Friday were also left frustrated after the bad weather dashed their plans.

John Hammond, who works at the Met Office, told The News: 'It has definitely been a soggy start to September. It follows on from what was quite a wet August. We are seeing a fairly wet spell of weather.'

The total rainfall of 75.8mm in the area last month was well above the average for August of 57.8mm.

And it doesn't look like it is going to get much better in the days to come.

Mr Hammond added: 'Although it might be a bit brighter on Monday it looks as if it is going to be pretty wet weather for the rest of the week, but possibly a bit drier on Wednesday.'