Firefighters battle wildfires raging across south-west Sardinia

Fast-spreading blazes destroy 20,000 hectares of forest and force 1,500 people to be evacuated from homes

Firefighters are working to put out wildfires that have spread quickly across parts of south-western Sardinia, destroying 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of forest and forcing 1,500 people to be evacuated from their homes.

Many agricultural businesses and private properties have been damaged by the fires, which began on Saturday in the province of Oristano.