Greek officials have begun evacuating residents from several villages as five major wildfires continue to rip through the country this weekend.

Brits on holiday in Greece are being urged to take care as wildfires continue to spread across the country – including close to the capital Athens. Temperatures in south-east Europe are expected to hit 44°C today, in the latest stage of a heatwave that has remained a threat for several weeks.

Greece faces severe wildfires near Athens and across its terrain, exacerbated by a third harsh heatwave this summer. Villages are being evacuated as the fires threaten homes and industries. Firefighters,