Police tear-gas Athens protesters

Protesters clashed with riot police across Athens yesterday, torching cars, hurling petrol bombs and sending Christmas shoppers fleeing during a strike against austerity measures.

Police fired tear gas and flash grenades as the violence escalated outside parliament and spread to other parts of the capital. Unions triggered the 24-hour strike to protest against new labour reforms and pay cuts as Greece struggles to reshape its economy under the conditions of a ¤110bn international bailout.