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French protests gather pace

The demonstrations are expected to climax on 1 May

Demonstrations began on Sunday night - after Mr Le Pen's shock success in the first round of the French presidential election - and show no sign of abating.

French President Jacques Chirac, who faces Mr Le Pen in a run-off on 5 May, called on Thursday for national unity.

He urged voters to reject the "demons of extremism" and defend "the republican ideal" and democracy at a campaign rally near the southern city of Lyon.

As protests swelled, Mr Le Pen issued a statement claiming he was the victim of a campaign of hatred and lies, and accusing Mr Chirac of starting the "hate demonstrations".

He also criticised "scandalous interference" by European leaders, following strong reactions by Britain and Germany to his anti-immigrant platforms.

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Marches, meetings and teach-ins took place in at least 80 towns and cities as protesters urged a massive protest vote against Mr Le Pen on 5 May.

Many French universities declared Thursday a day without classes, so students could debate the political situation.

The biggest crowds of demonstrators - 15,000-strong - were seen in the university city of Nantes, but there were also protests in Brest, Vannes, Lille, Lyon, Grenoble, Toulouse, Cannes and Ajaccio.

Some brandished placards describing Mr Le Pen as "fascist" and shouted slogans such as "Vote to stop Le Pen" and "We're all children of immigrants".

Human rights groups and political parties have issued a joint statement calling for massive protests this weekend in all major French cities.

The statement said Mr Le Pen's presence in the presidential runoff was "shameful".

Jean-Marie Le Pen