A child has been taken into police protection after being found under Brighton Pier during storms around the UK.

Wet and windy conditions have caused widespread disruption to the transport network as almost the whole UK languishes under a yellow weather warning.

In the south coast city, where gusts of up to 47mph are still being reported, the youngster is reported to have been found on the beach in the early hours of the morning.

A Sussex Police statement said: “Two adults have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect and remain in custody at this stage.

“The investigation is ongoing, and for this reason we would urge members of the public not to speculate around the circumstances.”

Forecasters have predicted winds of over 60mph could hit the coasts of Bristol Channel, the English Channel and through the Strait of Dover.

The Met Office has yellow thunderstorm warnings in place for Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland, with forecasters predicting heavy showers and thunderstorms developing through Saturday and continuing into Sunday.

Meanwhile, in southwest England, Wales, the Midlands, southeast and eastern England, it warned of disruption due to wind and asked people to be wary of sea fronts where large waves are expected, driving high sided vehicles and the risk of power loss.

Already, rail services have been delayed or cancelled after a tree fell on the line between Ashford International and Hastings, although the obstruction has since been cleared.

Fallen trees have also affected services have resumed between Guildford and Reading, Ipswich and Lowestoft, Newbury in Berkshire and Westbury in Wiltshire, and between Hereford and Worcester Foregate Street.

Network Rail urged passengers to check for updates before they travel.

A statement on the thunderstorms in the north from the weather office said: “While many areas will miss the worst of these thundery showers, a few spots could see 15-25mm (0.6-1 ins) within an hour and 30-40mm (1.2-1.6ins) within three hours.

“It is possible that some of these may become slow-moving and prolonged – most likely across parts of southern Scotland, leading to the potential for 60-80mm (2.4-3.2ins) of rain in six-12 hours.”

Warnings of high winds potential causing power failures come after thousands of people had their journeys interrupted as a result of a major power cut on Friday evening.

Forecasters warned: “Unseasonably strong southwesterly winds are expected to cause some disruption, with gusts over 40mph quite widely inland.

“Gusts over 50mph are possible across parts of central and south-eastern England, particularly in association with showers.

“Gusts in excess of 60mph are likely around coasts of Bristol Channel, English Channel and through the Strait of Dover.”

Thousands of people have been left disappointed after the severe weather has cancelled and disrupted weekend events from festivals, shows and smaller events.

Organisers of Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta scaled back the event, cancelling Friday’s much-anticipated mass ascent.

Several weekend LGBT+ pride events, including in Chester, Milton Keynes and Plymouth, were postponed over safety concerns. Organisers for all three said they were working to rearrange the events.

The first day of Blackpool Air Show, on Saturday, was cancelled when afternoon winds of 45mph were forecast, and nearby St Anne’s International Kite Festival was also cancelled.

The London Wildlife Festival, scheduled on Saturday and Sunday at Walthamstow Wetlands, was cancelled after winds of 40mph were forecast. Organisers said they were unable to “proceed safely” but promised refunds on tickets.

The weather is expected to improve on Sunday, with the wind warning lifting. However, the thunderstorm warning for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England is still in place.

It comes as heavy downpours swept across much of the UK on Friday.

With the rain warning valid until midnight, meteorologist Bonnie Diamond said: “There has been a lot of rain over the last 24 hours with more heavy showers to come on the way today and tomorrow.

“So we will certainly see an impact in terms of localised flooding, difficult driving conditions and transport delays.”

Ms Diamond said that between 9pm on Thursday and 9am on Friday, Antrim in Northern Ireland saw 39mm of rainfall – the largest amount in the 12-hour period. The country’s entire August average is just 97.4mm.