Protesters' Day Of Action To Cripple France

Protesters are tightening their grip on France's fuel supplies with national day of action aiming to cripple the country today.

Petrol stations are running dry, tankers are being held off the southern coast and not allowed to dock, the government is dipping into precious reserves and nuclear power capacity has been cut because workers have walked out.

There are also reports of train lines being obstructed.

And there are signs of pockets of panic-buying, with some people saying they are filling up their cars in case the protests go on. One petrol station manager, Bernard Ballaux, said: "The volume of fuel that was bought by clients increased 40% since Monday."

After weeks of road blocks and pockets of violence, as well as days of logjams outside refineries to stop fuel getting out, demonstrators are turning their attention to the capital where they are to march in protest at reforms to the country's employment laws.

Union members say it could be the biggest co-ordinated demonstration of the unrest so far.

Queuing at petrol stations has been so bad that the AA in the UK reported calls from Brits stranded on their holidays.

And with the half-term break next week, many more Britons are expected to head across the Channel where fuel supplies have been limited in many areas.

Corinne Besson, who lives near Le Havre in northern France, said she had to wait in a queue twice on Wednesday to fill her tank.

"I waited in line for 40 minutes to fill up 20 litres, and now I'm waiting in line again. I think it'll take about an hour and I'll probably get about 20 litres again."

AA president Edmund King told Sky News: "The best advice for UK drivers is to fill up this side of the Channel.

"Then when you’re over there, even filling stations which have got fuel may have restrictions on the amount you can put in. You might not be able to fill up jerry cans."

According to Google, the top search term on the internet in France is "how to siphon petrol".

Among the roads blocked were the Pont de Normandie and the Pont de Tancarville - the main routes from the port of Le Havre heading south towards Normandy and Paris. These routes have reportedly re-opened but the dock city has been stormed by workers throwing smoke bombs.

There are fears the action, led by the CGT Union, could carry on until the Euro 2016 football championships.

The French government is standing firm, refusing to abandon the new labour laws which make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers in a country where unemployment is running at 10%.

"Unfortunately democratic choice has been completely put aside," said demonstrator Damien Girard.

"The unions were not consulted, the discussion procedures at the national assembly were disregarded as well, so we chose to strike in order to make ourselves heard and it ended up paralysing the nation's economy."

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said: "What are our options? Changing the bill? That's just not possible."

Speaking to BFMTV he added: "It's out of the question to change the current outlines. There may always be changes and improvements. Often this country kills itself with conservatism, and with its incapacity to reform.

"It's not about standing your ground on this - it's about the text being good for employees, companies and the unions."

Mr Valls has conceded that there could be moves towards concessions but has not talked about the potential details.

By Jonathan Samuels, Sky News Correspondent Photo: Sky News