Brighter weather has been promised across Britain after a day of torrential rain was blamed for four deaths and chaos on the roads.

There were three accidents in the south of England on Monday which claimed four lives.

Police are investigating to see if the flooding and high winds caused the incidents.

But the forecast for the rest of the week suggests an end to the severe weather and higher temperatures before the weekend.

Emergency services were clearing up

BBC weather forecaster Helen Willetts said: "Gradually the heaviest rain will ease away westwards on Tuesday leaving just a few showers on the south coast.

"And tomorrow there will be quite a change. For most parts of England and Wales it will be much drier and much brighter."

Two people were killed and a third remained in a critical condition after a crash on the A22 Caterham bypass in Surrey at about 1700 BST on Monday.

Earlier in the day, a male motorcyclist in his 20s was found dead by the roadside in Surbiton, Surrey.

It is not known whether he was blown off his bike or had a collision.

Commuter delays

The third accident was in Lewes, Sussex, where a man died after his Jaguar car was crushed by a camper van, believed to have been blown on to his vehicle.

Eleven flood warnings were issued across England and Wales on Monday night and were still in place on Tuesday morning.

Twelve inches of rain fell in Swanage in Dorset during the day and two inches was recorded on the Isle of Wight in just one hour.

The worst area affected was the Midlands, especially the rivers Trent, Soar, Blithe, Churnet and Tean.

In the north east of England there were three flood warnings in force, principally in coastal regions including Scarborough and Sandsend.

Scotland was badly hit and residents in Inverness were still clearing up after flash floods of up to five feet at the weekend.

Commuters faced lengthy delays after rail lines and roads were damaged.