A severe weather forecast has been issued for areas of the UK including Ayrshire for the rest of the day.

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation says thunderstorms, brief tornadoes, hail and lightning are possible in the area, and the warning runs until 10pm tonight.

The TSRO said: "A rather slack surface pattern is across Ireland and the UK at present, with a large upper low across many western areas.

"Clusters of showers are rotating about this low, with further showers and a few thunderstorms expected to develop later this morning and into this afternoon. 

"Several low-level convergence zones are progged to be in place through today, primarily across the areas depicted in this forecast.

"Vertical stretching of vorticity along these zones by developing showers and thunderstorms may lead to the development of one or two weak tornadoes. 

"Given the slow-moving nature of showers/storms, hail may cover the ground in places. CG lightning will be a hazard too."