The industrial action is being held by one of the smaller hauliers' unions, Force Ouvriere (FO).

It follows two days of industrial action by some Air France pilots and raises fears of widespread chaos during next month's World Cup tournament.

It is uncertain how severe the effect of Tuesday's lorry-drivers' strike will be, since larger unions are not taking part.

But industrial action could continue after Tuesday and the militant FO union has not ruled out more stoppages during the World Cup.

Strikes by lorry drivers could lead to traffic problems

Other unions in the transport sector have also threatened to disrupt the high-profile tournament in an effort to win higher pay awards.

The biggest ever World Cup, involving 32 countries playing in 10 French cities, starts on June 10 and runs until July 12.

As well as disruption on the roads and in the air, there are fears of strikes on the national railway network and in Paris public transport.

The powerful Communist-led CGT trade union said railway, energy, construction and department store workers would stage nationwide protests on June 4.

CGT leaders told a news conference the tournament must be a party for everyone and wage earners must not be left out.

"All must be done to make the World Cup a success, but if labour conflicts are justified then there will be conflicts," said Gilbert Stoquert, head of the CGT's transport branch.

Although the main SNPL union did not take part in the recent Air France strike - the second in a month to hit the national airline - some services were seriously affected.

A third of domestic and medium-haul flights at Paris' Orly airport and 15% at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport were cancelled.

Tuesday's action by lorry drivers coincides with the opening day of pay negotiations with employers.