COMMUTER traffic crawled into Manchester today as the rush-hour was hit by some of the wettest weather for 50 years.

Motorways across the region were reduced to standing traffic as drivers battled to get to work.

Weathermen watching approaching storms warned: "You are right in the firing line."

Altrincham-based traffic monitors Keepmoving reported standing water on the M56 between Lymm and Bowdon and massive delays on the M62 at Rishworth Moor, the M60 at Simister Island and the M6 between Keele and Sandbach.

The entire month's average rainfall - more than three inches - was predicted to fall across the north west today with up to four inches expected in some areas.

The exceptional rainfall is likely to cause more widespread disruption and flooding, especially in areas that are already saturated, the Met Office warned.

In Manchester, the deluge was moving steadily towards the all-time June record of one and a half inches in 24 hours, set in 1915.

Forecaster Marco Petagna said parts of England had received heavy showers yesterday, with nearly half an inch falling in one hour in Hereford.

He said the soaking the country has received in the past week is unusual for June, as are the temperatures - which dropped to 12-18C across the country today.

"That is quite cold for June but will be a feature of the next few days," he said.

And there's no sign of summer returning any time soon.

He said: "Tomorrow is looking like it might be a brighter day. But if you're looking for hot, dry, sunny weather, there's not much prospect for a while."