European cities hit by anti-austerity protests

Thousands of protesters from across Europe are taking part in a mass demonstration in Brussels against spending cuts by some EU governments. Other protests against austerity measures are being held in Greece, Italy, Ireland and Latvia, reports BBC News.

A general strike is also taking place in Spain, hitting transport and other public services. Trade unions say EU workers may become the biggest victims of a financial crisis set off by bankers and traders.

Many governments across the 27-member bloc have imposed punishing cuts in wages, pensions and employment to deal with spiralling debts.

In Greece and the Republic of Ireland unemployment figures are at their highest level in 10 years, while Spain's unemployment has doubled in just three years.

In Britain the government is planning to slash spending by up to 25% in some areas, while France has seen angry protests against a planned increase in the minimum retirement age.

The European Trade Union Confederation (Etuc) said it hoped that about 100,000 people would march on EU institution buildings in the Belgian capital.

As the march got under way under a sea of banners, police sealed off the EU headquarters and barricaded banks and shops.

The protest in Brussels has been described by unions as a day of action under the slogan "No to austerity, priority to jobs and growth."

Labour unions in Spain began a general strike by marching through the capital, Madrid, in an effort to shut down the city.

Also in the capital, there were mass protests outside bus and metro stations, and few buses were running. Many high-speed trains were cancelled, and only about a quarter of commuter trains were running.

Groups of strikers have been seen in Madrid going into shops and banks trying to force them to close.