A heatwave is continuing across Europe, with France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Germany under heat alerts, BBC reports. In France, a red alert - the highest extreme heat warning - is in place across 16 departments including Paris, where the top of the Eiffel Tower is closed.

Two people have died in Italy as temperatures soar, while 50,000 have been evacuated because of wildfires in western Turkey. Parts of Portugal and Spain recorded their highest-ever June temperatures this week as the mercury hit 46C.

In south-east England, temperatures could reach highs of 35C today but it will be more changeable for the rest of the UK. Follow the latest news briefs here.