The heat wave that has swept southern Europe has forced the closure of summer skiing on an Italian glacier for the first time in 90 years.

Skiing is normally possible throughout the summer months on the Stelvio Pass glacier, which lies at 3,450 metres, or 11,319ft.

But the torrid heat of the past couple of weeks has turned the pistes into wet slush.

Much of Italy, including Rome, Naples and Florence, has been baking in temperatures of more than 40C and even in the mountains the temperatures have been well above average.