HOLIDAYMAKERS from  South Cumbria are among those affected by terrifying wildfires sweeping through Greece.

Firefighters have struggled through the weekend to contain 82 wildfires across Greece, 64 of which started on Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far.

Families including people from Barrow, Millom and Cockermouth are returning from fire-struck Corfu and Rhodes. 

The most serious fire was on the island of Rhodes.

Some 19,000 people had been evacuated from several locations on the island as wildfires burned for a sixth day, Greek authorities said.

Other fires requiring evacuations broke out on the northeast side of the island of Corfu and in the northern Peloponnese, near the town of Aigio.

Up to 10,000 Britons are estimated to be on fire-ravaged Rhodes, with repatriation flights to rescue holidaymakers landing back in the UK.

British tourists described 'terrifying' scenes of turmoil as the five-day fire continues to rage, with power cuts causing 'chaos' and an absence of information from travel agencies.

Among those affected is Cumbrian woman Corrine Watson and her family.

The 42-year-old, who is holidaying with her husband and two sons, told the PA news agency she had only received one automated text message from Tui, telling her they were 'sorry for any disruptions'.

She said: “Our hotel has accepted some evacuees and hosted a few while other accommodation was found.

“Power losses affecting the kitchens has caused chaos but hotel staff are working exceptionally hard to manage the situation – they must be very worried for their island.

“Hotel staff [are] working flat out under desperate worry.”

A Tui spokeswoman said they are 'continuing to do all they can in a fast moving situation' and had representatives at evacuation points.

A spokeswoman for Hays Travel in Barrow said the travel agency was working on a day-by-day basis and tour operators will only be allowing customers to travel if it is safe to do so.

People stuck in Rhodes have told of being forced to sleep with hundreds of others in schools, airports and sports centres across the popular Greek island, while one tourist arrived to hear the hotel she booked had burned down.

Others have vented their frustrations at travel firms for their lack of information about how the wildfires, which began to spread on Saturday, will affect their holiday plans.