Pensions protests in France today

BUS and tram services in 19 towns and cities around France will be disrupted on Tuesday because of a strike, but most trains, flights and schools should be unaffected.

Unions are taking part in a final day of protests over the government's pension reforms. Five unions - the CGT, CFDT, Unsa, FSU and Solidaires - are supporting the day of action.

The French civil aviation body DGAC said it was not expecting any disruption to flights. Paris public transport body RATP says traffic should be normal.

A small number of SNCF train services could be delayed or cancelled, because one union representing drivers is taking part in the strike, Sud Rail.

Bus drivers have called strikes in Angoulême, Avignon, Besançon, Chalon-sur-Saône, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lorient, Lyon, Maubeuge, Montpellier, Nantes, Nîmes, Orléans, Pau, La Rochelle, Rouen, Royan, Strasbourg and Toulouse.

The main demonstration, in Paris, will set off from the Place de l'Opéra at noon, heading to the Place de la Bourse, where they hope to form a human chain around the Palais Brongniart, the former Paris stock exchange building.

Other demonstrations are planned around France.