A COMMUNITY centre has been forced to close after a it was struck by lightning during dramatic storms that hit St Helens this afternoon.

Peter Street Community Centre in St Helens was rocked by the lightning bolt.

Water then flooded into the building causing the power supply to be knocked out.

A St Helens Council spokeswoman said: "No one was injured but the centre, which houses a library and a number of community facilities, was closed after water flooded in through the roof area.

"Electrics were affected and the centre will be re-assessed for damage tomorrow."

Meanwhile, in Moss Bank the library was closed for a couple of hours due to flooding outside the building which has now been re-opened.

St Helens Council added that it will keep people informed as to when Peter Street will re-open.