A main rail line was under threat after a section of a historic sea wall in Devon was torn out by storm waves, while some parts of the country had four fifths of an average month’s rainfall in one day.

Train services on the Paddington to Penzance route were affected after part of the seawall, built between Teignmouth and Dawlish by Isambard Kingdom Brunel 150 years ago, was torn out.

The rain led the Environment Agency to issue flood warnings in South Wales and the South West. It means that homes and buildings are at risk with roads and land in 33 areas in danger of flooding. The AA said that it was called out to 12,000 breakdowns yesterday, 28 per cent more than usual, and most of which were weather-related. It urged motorists to leave extra time and to be wary of flooded roads.

Forecasters said that the worst of the weather is expected to move northwards today. Northern England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland could receive up to an inch of rain. Most areas of southern and central England and Wales will dry out today, with a mixture of sunshine and showers, raising hopes of reasonable weather for the first day of the First Test match between England and South Africa at Lord’s.