UPDATE: Storm warning issued

VIOLENT thunderstorms over the north and north-east of France have forced Météo-France to issue an orange alert for 21 departments from Loiret and Yonne north.

Météo-France says the storms will break out this afternoon after moving across from the west and Poitou-Charentes and will last through the night until tomorrow morning.

Driving conditions will be particularly difficult on busy roads in Paris and Ile-de-France and it warns drivers to take particular care on low-lying roads.

Pedestrians are also warned to beware flying objects in the strong winds. Winds could reach 100kph and the forecasters say the storms could contain hail as well as very heavy rainfall.

The regions of Haut-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie are affected along with the departments of Ardennes, Aube, Eure-et-Loir, Loiret, Marne and Yonne.