Fire spreads through Halkidiki

Forest fires have spun out of control on the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece.

Many tourists and locals have been evacuated from affected areas and there are reports that up to 1,000 British people have spent the night on the beach.

Elaine Willan, a British tourist who spent the night outside, told the BBC: "People were being turned back because they'd gone as far as they could go, there was nowhere else to go."

Halkidiki is a popular tourist location with many Britons and the Foreign Office is liaising with its Greek counterparts to ensure all citizens are accounted for.

Water planes and helicopters were not able to aid with fighting the fire as they can't fly at night.

This meant that the flames went relatively unchecked during the night and fire fighters could only receive air support from the early morning.

Cars and buildings have been destroyed, although so far there have been no reports of any fatalities.

Many tourists are beginning to go back to their hotels and a hotline has been opened for anxious relatives to phone.

The Foreign Office relatives' phone number: 020 7008 1500