Emergency services had a busy night because of heavy rain, intense thunder and lightning storms and giant hail stones.

The heatwave, which has impacted on the region for several weeks, came to an end yesterday creating impressive displays in the sky for several areas.

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But it also created high demand for the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and Norfolk Police control rooms last night and early this morning.

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Insp Lou Provart, duty control inspector for the Norfolk Police said: 'It was one of our busiest days we have had this year in terms of call volume.

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'The storms which came throughout the latter part of the evening caused a bit of havoc. We had lots of calls about that but there were no major incidents. We managed to meet the demand in the control room.'

Eastern Daily Press: The lightning over Norwich from Mousehold Heath between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on July 27. Picture: LIZ BRAYThe lightning over Norwich from Mousehold Heath between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on July 27. Picture: LIZ BRAY (Image: LIZ BRAY)

Insp Provart added officers were called to some weather-related road traffic collisions last night including a van which came off the A11 into a hedge. There were no serious injuries.

Eastern Daily Press: The lightning over Norwich from Mousehold Heath in July. Picture: LIZ BRAYThe lightning over Norwich from Mousehold Heath in July. Picture: LIZ BRAY (Image: LIZ BRAY)

Speaking about the weather-related accidents, the inspector added: 'The rain caught people out. Nobody was expecting it. It was a perfect storm.'

Eastern Daily Press: The lightning over Norwich from Mousehold Heath between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on July 27. Picture: LIZ BRAYThe lightning over Norwich from Mousehold Heath between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on July 27. Picture: LIZ BRAY (Image: LIZ BRAY)

He described the weather in Wymondham, where the police headquarters is based, was 'ferocious'.

Eastern Daily Press: A shot of the storm over Attleborough. Picture: Jonathon ToddA shot of the storm over Attleborough. Picture: Jonathon Todd (Image: Archant)

The fire service also received a lot of calls because of the change in weather.

Eastern Daily Press: Lightning strikes over Sheringham. Picture: IMRE STUIFMEELLightning strikes over Sheringham. Picture: IMRE STUIFMEEL (Image: IMMIE)

A Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service control room operator said: 'We took a lot of flooding calls in the early part of the evening.'

Eastern Daily Press: Hail banked up after the storm in Horningtoft, near Fakenham. Picture: Rex KellettHail banked up after the storm in Horningtoft, near Fakenham. Picture: Rex Kellett

There were reports of localised flooding in Hunstanton, Diss and Great Yarmouth.

Eastern Daily Press: The sky lights up during the storm in Dereham. Picture: GRANT KINGThe sky lights up during the storm in Dereham. Picture: GRANT KING (Image: Archant)

Hail stones as large as £1 coins also fell in some parts of the county yesterday.

Eastern Daily Press: Flash bang at Caister. Picture: Richard LayFlash bang at Caister. Picture: Richard Lay (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Breckland District Council member Ian Sherwood tweeted that 18.8mm of rain fell in Swaffham and Sporle last night.

Eastern Daily Press: Flash bang at Caister. Picture: Richard LayFlash bang at Caister. Picture: Richard Lay (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Phil Garner, a forecaster for Norwich-based Weatherquest, said the heaviest rainfall in Norfolk yesterday was in Marham where 29.6mm fell over 24 hours.

Eastern Daily Press: Flash bang at Caister. Picture: Richard LayFlash bang at Caister. Picture: Richard Lay (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

The slow intense rain, moved from the west of the county yesterday morning into the eastern areas of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Mr Garner said: 'There might be the odd isolated shower across the county between now and 9.30am today. There might be the odd rumble of thunder in Great Yarmouth.'

But he added the weather would not be as 'intense' as it was yesterday and the skies would become bright with sunshine later this afternoon .

Temperatures will be between 22C and 24C - which is normal for this time of year.

'It will feel more fresh this afternoon.'

The highest temperature in the area yesterday was 34.7C at Tibenham Airfield in Norfolk.

People should expect a bit of cloud and a breeze tomorrow and 'more comfortable' temperatures next week despite the forecast of a slight rise on Thursday and Friday.