More than a thousand Spaniards employed in the British colony of Gibraltar have staged a demonstration on the Spanish side of the border to demand the lifting of tighter border controls recently imposed by the Madrid government.

The measures were introduced following last month's row between Spain and Britain over fishing rights.

The Spaniards who work in Gibraltar are angry at being delayed by rigorous border checks.

The Spanish Foreign Minister, Abel Matutes, said the new measures would remain in force until Britain showed it was ready to discuss the future of the colony with Spain. Earlier, Britain announced it would work towards establishing the right of Gibraltarians to vote in elections for the European Parliament.

Correspondents say the move will add to the strain in relations between Madrid and London