Firefighters battle to control blazes

Heathland fires were still raging across parts of the Scottish Highlands, Ireland and England yesterday after an extended dry spell.

Emergency services continued to tackle the fires as forecasters said there was very little chance of rain in the next 24 hours.

In the Scottish Highlands, firefighters tackled two wildfires which have been blazing since the bank holiday weekend. At Shiel Bridge three properties were evacuated as the flames advanced.

In Berkshire, three schools were closed as fires continued to cause problems in Swinley Forest, Bracknell.

In Lancashire, fire crews continued their attempts to control two fires in Belmont and Simonswood which started at the end of last week.