HEAT... AND GUST

RED ALERTS IN EUROPE AS STORMS HIT UK

- NICOLA SMALL

BRITAIN'S washout weekend was the envy of Europe yesterday as a heatwave continued to grip holiday hotspots across the Continent.

But families jetting off when schools break up on Friday could find their hopes of a relaxing getaway in ruins.

Red alerts have been issued for 16 cities across Italy - including the tourist meccas of Rome, Florence and Bologna - with people advised to stay indoors between 11am and 6pm.

Families heading for Spain, France and Greece have also been warned that extreme conditions could make it too hot to go to the beach.

Yesterday, the Acropolis in Greece was closed during the hottest hours for the second day in a row to protect visitors to the site, after some tourists collapsed in the brutal conditions.

Greek authorities are also urging Brits to ditch their plans for a boozy holiday and instead drink at least two litres of water a day.

Raging wildfires ripping through Croatia led to the evacuation of tourists and locals in the area of Grebastica, on the Dalmatian Coast.