France protests: Riot police fire tear gas to break up demonstrations in Paris

Tear gas has been fired by riot police in Paris to break up protests that have brought parts of the French capital to a standstill.

The demonstrations form part of continuing nationwide strike action as workers vent their anger at plans by President Emmanuel Macron to overhaul the retirement system.

Mr Macron says the change, which will streamline a complex system of 42 special pension plans, will make it fairer and more financially sustainable.

But unions see the plan as a threat to hard-fought rights and have vowed to maintain the strike until the government backs down.

Meanwhile, yellow vest protesters, known as the gilets jaunes, are continuing with their weekly demonstrations over economic injustice.

Tourists and shoppers faced closed Metro lines around Paris and near-empty railway stations as a result of the mass walkout, which has paralysed public transport.

Sky News' Adam Parsons, who is in Paris, said the protests had swelled to many thousands and while it had been mainly good-natured, the mood quickly changed after police fired tear gas into the crowds.

Many of those taking part were also critical of Mr Macron personally, he said, believing the 41-year-old former investment banker was "a king or emperor for the rich - not the common man".

Medics from the protest movement, dressed in white, went to the aid of those affected by the debilitating cloud of gas.

Meanwhile, lorry drivers across the country have blocked motorways in opposition to a fuel tax hike.

But the travel chaos is not so far deterring the government.

Defending the reforms, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said: "Citizens know that the hugely diverse nature of the current 42 pension plans cannot continue.

"They also know we're going to have to work longer."