Drought-hit Serbian town of Valjevo prays for rain

H undreds of wildfires have broken out in recent weeks

Orthodox worshippers in Serbia have prayed for rain in order to end a weeks-long drought that has ruined crops and caused forest fires.

The prayers were held in the central town of Valjevo in response to a call two days ago from the local bishop urging his congregation to repent of their sins and pray for rain.

Weather forecasts suggest the prayers could be answered, with showers predicted in the early hours of Monday.

In south-west Serbia, army troops have been deployed to help contain a wildfire near the town of Cacak.

Russia has also sent two firefighting aircraft to help stem the blazes, which have damaged homes, forests and farmland in the area, about 90km (55 miles) south of the capital Belgrade.

The authorities are also fighting numerous wildfires elsewhere across Serbia.

Serbia has been particularly badly hit by the heatwave across the western Balkans, which has seen temperatures of up to 40C, damaging crops and triggering hundreds of wildfires.