Kent has been battered by hailstones and severe storms this afternoon - as the county was lashed by weird May weather.

Many took to social media to report hailstones battering the county - stretching as far as Whitstable, Swanley, Ashford and even Bromley.

But the phenomenon came within hours of a severe thunderstorm, which darkened the skies within minutes and led to lashing rain.

Just hours earlier, the county had been bathed in sunshine.

Met office forecasters are now predicting the weather will settle down into the evening.

Scattered showers are expected, but they will die out to leave a dry night.

Did you take any pictures of the thunderstorm or hailstones today? Send them to news@thekmgroup.co.uk.