Rome and The Hague see another very hot day

The Italian capital of Rome is bringing out water-sprinkling cannons for sweating tourists braving the heat to visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Rome was among 18 Italian cities designated as "red alert" for high temperatures on Friday by the country's Ministry of Health.

Dozens of tourists rushed to the sprinklers and some even danced about as they cool down.

Further north in the Netherlands, schools were closed and court hearings postponed on Friday as extreme heat also disrupted the country.

Parts of the Netherlands saw temperatures peaking at 37 degress Celsius.

Authorities urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.