About 350 firefighters and soldiers in Greece, assisted by water-dropping planes and dozens of fire engines, are struggling to contain a large wildfire raging for three days through pine forests north of Athens.

Two large forest fires, the first of the summer season, are burning near Athens, aided by gale-force winds of up to 40 miles an hour.

Greek authorities have declared a state of emergency as a major wildfire burned unchecked north-east of Athens, threatening homes and villages. Many residents fled on foot.