Families startled by huge bang heard across Merseyside

A huge, unexpected bang was heard across Merseyside as thunder hit the region. Dozens of people took to social media asking if others heard the loud noise at around 9.40pm tonight, Saturday, August 24.

People in Liverpool city centre, Aigburth, Leasowe and Moreton all confirmed hearing the loud noise. The bang was unexpected thunder which was followed by lightning in some areas.

Kieren Simo, from Leasowe, posted a video from outside his house which captured the huge rumble of thunder. He said his three daughters jumped from the noise and added: "Right outside it was the loudest and straight away after the flash the whole room lit up."

People said they "were not expecting it at all", while another added: "I know right, so random and then it was gone". Another person said they didn't hear thunder but they saw a massive flash out of the corner of their eye.

Thunder and lightning was not forecast for Merseyside, however many people shared lightning maps online showing the lightning strikes across the region. According to BBC weather, the north west was expected to have "patch cloud and scattered showers", with similar conditions forecast overnight.

Forecasters predict Sunday, August 25 will start dry and bright but "thick cloud and spells of persistent rain" will move in from the west. The afternoon is predicted to be cloudy and very wet.