The West Coast Main Line has been closed between Scotland and England because of flooding on the tracks.

Network Rail Scotland says five trains are currently trapped or blocked between Lockerbie and Penrith North – and in places, water levels are a foot above the rails.

In a series of tweets, the organisation said the flooding was caused by water from an adjacent field running onto tracks.

Network Rail Scotland wrote: “@VirginTrains trains & staff on the ground are advising alternative travel options & ticket acceptance is in place with other operators.

“Inspection has shown that flood water on south bound line is not as bad as on north bound line. We are able to open line for south bound traffic only – all be it with a 5 mph speed limit. North bound trains will head back to #Carlisle.”

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

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At 61mph, Mumbles Head on the southern coast of South Wales has seen the strongest winds so far, followed by Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire at 56mph.

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 southwestern England, Wales, the Midlands, southeastern and eastern England, forecasters warned of disruption due to wind and asked people to be wary of seafronts 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 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.

In Brighton, a child was taken into police protection after being found under the pier during high winds on Saturday.

In the south coast city, where gusts of up to 53mph are 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.”

A Met Office statement on the thunderstorms in the North said: “While many areas will miss the worst of these thundery showers, a few spots could see 15mm to 25mm within an hour, and 30mm to 40mm 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 60mm to 80mm of rain in six to 12 hours.”

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

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 will still be in place.

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