Italian Heatwave Literally Melts Car

John Westbrook said he was astonished when he saw the Renault Megane dripping as it was parked opposite a beach in the coastal town of Caorle in northern Italy, as temperatures hit 37C .

The 48-year-old taxi driver from Folkestone, Kent, filmed the lights, wing mirrors and window fittings melting off the car during the heatwave, which has claimed the lives of more than 100 pensioners.

He told MailOnline: 'The car was parked parallel to the beach and had been there for a few days - it was just the pure heat of the sun beating down on it that made it melt.'

'We drove past and just couldn't believe what we were seeing. Bits of the car were literally dripping off on to the road,' he added.

'Even bits of the bumper were melted and the wing mirrors were starting to buckle.

'I guess the moral of the story is don't trust French cars.'

John took the photos today while on a two week break with his wife Joanne, 45, and son Robbie, 21.

He said temperatures have hovered around the high 90s since they arrived over the weekend, forcing them to spend most of the daytime indoors.

'As soon as you walk out of the hotel it's like walking into an oven,' said John.

Record temperatures in north-western Italy have left 140 pensioners dead in just the first ten days of July this year, according to data from the environmental agency there.

Tourists have been warned to take precautions against the heat, and farm animals have been given air conditioning, according to reports