Heavy rain and southerly gusts of up to 30mph, turning umbrellas inside out, swept across the city.

Despite prolonged overnight rain, the River Nene is not at risk of flooding, according to the Environment Agency.

However, the Nene is lapping the banks of The Embankment, close to the Key Theatre, while water levels are also high in Thorpe Meadows.

North Bank, between Shanks Millennium Bridge and Dog-in-a-Doublet Bridge, was on flood watch on Friday, but it has since been removed from the Environment Agency's warning list.

A Met Office spokesman said the worst of the weather was due to pass Peterborough by lunchtime.

He said: "The afternoon is expected to be drier, although still with a little rain in places."

The rain is expected to move away tonight, with lighter winds.

Peterborough fared better than much of the UK with 48-hour severe weather warnings issued for the south-east, south-west, Wales, the Lake District, Scotland and Northern Ireland.