Former Oxford mayor reacts to France and Spain wildfires

Tony Brett, who was Deputy Mayor of Oxford in 2013, has reacted to what has been described as France's worst wildfires in two decades.

Thousands of hectares have burned in two major wildfires in less than four days, which are spreading across the southwest of France.

The fire has burned around 116,000 hectares, roughly 11 times the size of Paris, which has spread through forests and fields in France's famous wine region.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated as fires rage near Bordeaux and further south in the Landes department.

Taking to X, he said: "It's heartbreaking to see how much of this very beautiful part of France has been consumed by fire. Compare it to the size of greater Bordeaux.

"In other years we would have been on holiday there by now. Climate change is real, folks. Action is needed urgently. Europe is burning."

Meanwhile, three fires have merged in the mountains near the Spanish capital of Madrid, burning around 29,700 hectares, with under 60,000 people being evacuated and 28,000 being told to stay put, according to reports.

This comes following a summer of back-to-back heatwaves across the continent, with some places seeing highs of 40C.

Temperatures are expected to get hotter and remain high from Wednesday to Sunday according to meteorological reports, as crews continue to tackle the blaze.