Riot police used teargas to disperse demonstrators trying to enter the parliament building. Greek officials said a policeman was badly injured in the melee.

The 24-hour strike was called by the two largest labour unions in Greece.

Bus depots are at a standstill

The BBC correspondent in Athens, Helena Smith, say the industrial action affected cities and villages, as irate civil servants and workers at post offices, banks and schools took to the streets.

All over Greece, public services and transport, including all flights with the national carrier, Olympic Airways, were severely disrupted.

Walkouts by port officials, train and bus drivers added to the chaos, while hospitals said they were only accepting emergencies.

Growing anger

The BBC correspondent says the violence highlights the growing anger among Greek workers over the governing Socialists' economic reforms and ambitious privatisation programme.

The general strike will almost certainly increase pressure on the Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, who has seen his popularity slide 15 points in the past six-months because of anger over the unpopular economic reforms.

The government considers the reforms necessary in order to bring Greece into line with its richer European Union partners.