Thousands demonstrate in Paris as protests spread across Europe

Hundreds of thousands of protesters demonstrated across France as the country prepares for a general strike in the coming days.

In Paris, police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in a third weekend of nationwide demonstrations against the rising cost of living and poor public services.

More than 320,000 people took to the streets around the country and at least 290 protesters were arrested, according to France's interior ministry. Police say about 70,000 demonstrated in Paris.

The authorities prepared extensively to avoid a repeat of the violence, rioting and looting that happened two weeks ago.

Protests also took place in Albania, Germany and Italy as youth take to the streets across Europe, the BBC's correspondent James Waterhouse reports.