The Place

Several buildings were destroyed in the town of Vitrolles, 20 miles north of Marseille, as thousands were evacuated from an area which is always popular with British tourists.

A spokesman for the local fire service said the area was 'still extremely dangerous, as the fires can take hold again in an instant.'

He said more very high winds were forecast, and aircraft were trying to douse flames on a hillside close to a motorway.

The mistral is a strong, northwesterly wind that blows across Provence and southern France.