Theresa May has been pictured relaxing on holiday as she takes a break from grappling with Brexit and the fallout from the general election.

The Prime Minister and husband Philip were pictured in Desenzano del Garda in northern Italy on her summer holiday.

Mrs May, known for her keen interest in fashion, was wearing a pink shirt dress with patterned sandals, while her husband sported a checked shirt and blue trousers.

Both Mays shielded their eyes with sunglasses as they visited the popular resort, on the shore of Lake Garda.

The couple arrived in Italy on Monday for the trip to the popular resort, but will break off from their holiday for Mrs May to attend commemorations of the centenary of the battle of Passchendaele in Belgium.

The Herald:

But the Mays will then depart once again for Switzerland for a further two weeks in the Alps, before returning to work in Downing Street on August 14.

Mr and Mrs May are regular summer visitors to the Alps, and the Prime Minister has named the Swiss regions of Zermatt and the Bernese Oberland as two of her favourite destinations because they are both "fantastic for walking".

She joked last week that fellow Conservatives may be relieved that she is not returning to Wales, where she made the fateful decision to call a snap election while walking in Snowdonia at Easter.

"I think there are many people who are grateful I'm going to the Alps and not to Wales again," she told LBC radio.

Unlike some of her predecessors, Mrs May has not named a minister who will take charge of the business of government while she is away.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said "various ministers will be on duty over the period", while Mrs May will be "constantly updated" by Downing Street on developments in her absence.