Europe remains in the grip of a record-breaking heatwave. Britain reported its highest-ever temperatures on record on Tuesday. The mercury exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in many areas.

A new provisional record temperature of 40.3 degrees was registered in Coningsby in the country's east. The temperature around Heathrow Airport reached 40.2 degrees.

The London Fire Brigade says a number of fires have damaged homes in the capital. It says it believes the fires occurred due to high temperatures and dry weather.

The heat is also disrupting train services, as heat-affected tracks have to be checked and in some cases repaired. Smoke from nearby fires is also disrupting services.

An electric notice board at London's Victoria Station shows there are major delays involving many trains. A woman who came to London for a meeting said, "It's definitely best to stay at home." A man complained that the bus he rode in was very hot, as it was not air-conditioned.

The World Meteorological Organization says it believes the heatwave in Europe peaked on Tuesday, but that temperatures there may continue to exceed the seasonal average until the middle of next week.

Record-high temperatures of around 40 degrees were reported in France on Tuesday. The mercury reached 40.5 degrees in Paris.

People gathered around the fountain in the square beside the Eiffel Tower. Some people, including children and couples, bathed and played in the water to cool down.

A number of deaths in Portugal have been blamed on the heatwave.

Spain says more than 30 wildfires are raging in the country. Firefighters are battling the blazes. Some of them are using helicopters. But two deaths were reported in the northwestern province of Zamora.

The Reuters news agency says more than 70,000 hectares have been lost to wildfires this year. That is the most damage in 10 years.