Heavy rain caused flooding and disruption across Hitchin on Thursday afternoon, forcing businesses and attractions to close and leading to the cancellation of the opening night of a major music festival.

Torrential downpours hit the town on Thursday, August 27, with shops in Hitchin town centre among those affected by flooding.

Fabio's Gelato was among the businesses hit as large amounts of rain fell in a short period of time, causing problems across the town centre.

The weather also brought bad news for music fans, with Thursday's opening night of Hitchin Live at The Priory cancelled due to "severe weather".

The Human League had been due to headline the first night of the new four-day outdoor music series at Hitchin Priory, supported by Roland Gift and Toyah.

The event was scheduled to open at 4pm on Thursday, kicking off a Bank Holiday weekend of concerts expected to attract thousands of people to the town.

Friday's event is due to be headlined by Rudimental, followed by The Libertines on Saturday and Ministry of Sound Classical on Sunday.

Hitchin Lido was another casualty of the conditions, announcing that it had closed until further notice following the heavy rain.

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The disruption came after forecasters had warned of heavy and potentially thundery rain across the region on Thursday.

The Met Office forecast for Hitchin included heavy rain and thunderstorms, while the Environment Agency warned that local surface-water flooding was possible in parts of England, with properties potentially affected and travel disruption possible. (weather.metoffice.gov.uk⁠)

There was, however, better news for runners – and beer drinkers – at Hitchin Cricket Club.

Despite the downpour, the Bubble Works Beer Mile went ahead as planned, with competitors taking on the unusual challenge of combining running with beer.

The event provided a rare example of Thursday afternoon's plans surviving the weather as Hitchin endured a dramatic spell of summer rain.

The disruption comes at the beginning of what was expected to be a particularly busy Bank Holiday weekend for the town, with Hitchin Live at The Priory scheduled to run until Sunday