Cyprus is often billed as the island on which you can swim in the morning and ski in the afternoon. But it’s assumed there’d be a car involved in moving between, say, the sands of Larnaca and the slopes of Troodos. Few, if any, would want to run the distance – especially in one fell swoop. And yet that’s exactly what the participants of Sea-to-Sky Cyprus will be doing this autumn.

A fire near the village of Tala, in Paphos, burned around eight hectares of dry grass, wild vegetation, and trees, the fire service said on Friday.

The fire broke out at around 3.50pm near a residential area and was brought under control about two hours later.

Fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis said forces were mopping up and ensuring there were no re-ignitions.

Consumers in Cyprus should brace for much higher prices this Christmas in basic goods such as bread, flour, cereal, meat, milk, eggs and cheese.

In fact, prices are expected to peak by up to 20%, Philenews reported on Friday.

Mainly fine in the morning on Wednesday but increased cloud will bring isolated showers in the afternoon.

Winds will be variable, southwesterly to southeasterly, initially moderate to fresh, force 3 to 4 Beaufort turning stronger in the afternoon, force 4 to 5.

The sea will be slight to moderate.