Thousands of tax inspectors in Argentina have raided businesses and shops across the country as part of an unprecedented government campaign against tax evasion.

The operation follows spot checks by tax collectors on restaurants and motorists in the capital, Buenos Aires, earlier this week.

The government says tax dodgers cost the state up to twenty billion dollars a year in lost revenue, and has blamed the former administration of president Carlos Menem for failing to address the problem.

Correspondents say the tough measures will come as a shock to many in Argentina, where tax evasion is described as the second national sport after football.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service