Theresa May and husband Philip kick off their summer holiday in Northern Italy

Theresa May and her husband Philip have been photographed enjoying the start of their holiday in Northern Italy.

Downing Street released pictured of the Prime Minister walking around the town of Desenzano del Garda, by lake Garda. 

The couple will spend five days in northern Italy, before breaking off from her holiday to attend commemorations of the centenary of the battle of Passchendaele in Belgium.

They will then depart once again for Switzerland for another two weeks, before returning to Downing Street on August 14.

The spokesperson added that Mrs May was "looking forward to her holiday" after a "productive and busy" week. 

Mrs May previously revealed her decision to call the election had come to her while on a walking holiday in Snowdonia.

Last year Mrs May and her husband kicked off their summer holiday with a hike in the Swiss Alps.

She has long enjoyed travelling to Switzerland. In an article for The Telegraph in 2007, she said: "If you're a keen walker, Switzerland is a wonderful summer destination: the views are spectacular, the air is clear and you can get some peace and quiet."