Five days of forest fires on the Canary Islands have caused widespread damage and forced thousands of people to leave their homes.

Spanish authorities say some 35,000 hectares (86,000 acres) of land have been ravaged by the fires.

Many homes and houses have been completely destroyed by the fires, which spread rapidly fanned by warm winds.

Twelve thousand people were ordered to leave their homes and take refuge in the town of Mogan.

Many of the fires have now been brought under control after extensive efforts, but temperatures remain high.

Soldiers from other parts of Spain have been drafted in to help provide firefighting supplies.

Volunteers are helping to feed and assist those evacuated from their homes and taking temporary refuge.

Those who return after the fires are extinguished face the agony of finding their homes burnt and ruined.