In pictures: Lightning and hail storms across northern England

Bolton at about 22:36 BST on WednesdayRhys Bradley

Rhys Bradley used his phone to capture lighting over Bolton at about 22:30 BST on Wednesday

Storms have swept across northern England in the wake of what for many places was the hottest July day on record in the UK.

Up to 40,000 properties in the north-east were left without power after the violent storms struck.

Some properties have been damaged by lightning and vehicles were hit by golf ball-sized hailstones.

Here is a selection of photos shared by BBC News readers and viewers.

Oldham, Greater Manchester at about 23:00 BST on 1 JulyJason Wright

Jason Wright said he "just happened to have my camera ready" when thunder and lightning struck Oldham, Greater Manchester, at about 23:00 BST on Wednesday

HailstonesNikola O'Hara

Nikola O'Hara said "the best lightning storm I've ever witnessed" struck the skies over Oakworth in West Yorkshire at about 23:00 BST on Wednesday, but the hail "ruined my lovely garden"

Consett, County Durham, at about 00:40 BSTMick Ormiston

Mick Ormiston photographed the thunderstorm over his home in Consett, County Durham, at about 00:40 BST

South Shields at about 00:16 BST on ThursdayRyan Omann

Ryan Omann took this photo in his back garden in South Shields at about 00:15 BST

Storm in Barnard Castle at midnightKatrina Lumley

Katrina Lumley photographed "the best thunderstorm we have had in years" from her house in Barnard Castle, County Durham, at about midnight

Seaham, County Durham, at about 01:16 BST on ThursdayHannah Robinson

Hannah Robinson took this photo in Seaham, County Durham, at about 01:15 BST

HailstoneTim Mason

Tim Mason, from Halifax in West Yorkshire, saw hailstones falling at about 23:00 on Wednesday that were bigger than two pence pieces

Torpenhow, Cumbria, at about 23:30 BST on WednesdayNAomi Little

Naomi Little took this photo from her bedroom window in Torpenhow, Cumbria, at about 23:30 BST on Wednesday as her two friends watched the storm pass over

Buxton, Derbyshire, at about 23:00 BST on WednesdayAxton Gray

Axton Gray, 15, photographed the lightning from his garden in Buxton, Derbyshire, at about 23:00 BST on Wednesday

HailstoneSiobhán Alderson

Siobhán Alderson took this photo of a large hailstone that fell in Keighley, West Yorkshire, at about 23:00 BST on Wednesday

Lightning in Preston at about 22:45 BST on WednesdaySimon Williams

Simon Williams, who lives in Preston, Lancashire, photographed lightning at about 22:45 BST on Wednesday

Storm over Sale, Greater Manchester, at about 22:22 BST on WednesdayLee Hanson

Lee Hanson used his mobile phone to photograph the storm over Sale, Greater Manchester, at about 22:20 BST on Wednesday

Greencroft, County Durham, at about 15:40 BST on WednesdayDebbie Todd

Debbie Todd took this photo in Greencroft, County Durham, at about 15:40 BST on Wednesday

Darlington town centre, 15:00 on 1 JulyScott Martin

Scott Martin was in Darlington, County Durham, when a storm came over at about 15:00 BST on Wednesday and lightning appeared to strike the town clock

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