Satellite images have laid bare the rapid impact of last week’s record heat.

NASA images show the difference a week makes, with southeastern and eastern parts of England turning from green to brown in days due to soaring temperatures across the country.

Use the slider below to see the difference.

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The The UK hit record high temperatures on Tuesdaywith Coningsby in Lincolnshire reaching a sweltering 40.3°C (104.5°F) – the first time since records began that the mercury exceeded 40°C in the country.

Parts of the UK have suffered significant damage from the extreme heat, such as house and forest fires, melting airport runways and expanding railway tracks.

Wennington in east London has been devastated by fires which have ravaged nearly 20 homes due to the heat, and more homes across the capital have also been evacuated due to fires.

Major incidents have been announced by firefighters in London, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire.

It wasn’t just the UK that faced unprecedented temperatures last week – Portugal, France and Spain also suffered scorching heat and wildfires.

The fire season hit parts of Europe earlier than usual this year after an unusually dry hot spring left the ground parched, which authorities blamed on climate change.

A popular resort on the Greek island of Lesvos was also engulfed in flames on Saturday, after a fire broke out in the island’s forests, prompting mass evacuations, while Athens firefighters also dealt with huge blazes.