A weather warning has been issued as heavy rain is set to batter the Sussex coast this afternoon. 

The Met Office yellow warning for rain is in place from 3pm today until 9am tomorrow and covers all of Sussex, across the coast and inland. 

The national weather service said the upcoming heavy rain leads to a risk of flooding. 

A Met Office spokesman said: "Outbreaks of rain, heavy at times with a risk of thunder, are expected to develop later on Monday afternoon then move northwards through the evening and overnight.

"15 to 20 mm rain may fall in less than an hour, with a few places seeing up to 40 mm in 2 hours but perhaps more widely within a longer period overnight.

"There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

"There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings."

The Met Office weather map shows heavy rain will hit much of the county. Red in Chichester and Worthing means rain from 16-32mm/hour could hitThe Met Office weather map shows heavy rain will hit much of the county. Red in Chichester and Worthing means rain from 16-32mm/hour could hit (Image: Met Office)

Where flooding occurs, the Met Office said there is a chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services.

Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures, it added.

The Met Office weather map shows heavy downpours, from as much as 16mm per hour, could hit Worthing this evening.