
Five police officers have been injured in Paris during violent clashes with demonstrators protesting against controversial labour reform laws. One officer was hit by a petrol bomb and engulfed in flames.

A protester was also hurt as French police fired tear gas today to disperse activists furious at plans which they claim weakens legal protections for workers.

While thousands of trade unionists marched peacefully through the French capital chanting about workers' rights, sporadic violence broke out between helmeted riot police with shields and batons and small groups of protesters armed with pieces of wood, rocks and sticks.

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A French riot police officer appears to be engulfed in flames after a petrol bomb is hurled by violent demonstrators. The officer is believed to have escaped without serious injury

Amazingly the officer is believed to have escaped without life-threatening injuries

Police detained at least one person and at least two people were injured, one with a bloodied face and another attended by medics.

By 8pm, there had been 62 arrests in Paris, and 32 people were put under formal criminal investigation for a range of public order offences. At least five officers were being treated for injuries, including burns.

Thousands continued to pour into the square, along with squads of riot police.

The protest was part of a day of nationwide labour action against a law adopted this summer that allows employees more freedom to extend the working week and lay off staff.

A series of strikes and huge protests against the law earlier this year frustrated tourists and stained France's image and that of President Francois Hollande's government.

French riot police charge towards demonstrators, many of them masked, protesting in Paris today

A wounded demonstrator is dragged away by riot police following scuffles between protesters and the police as part of a protest against a labour law, in Paris today

A bloodied protester is carried away by colleagues during a demonstration against the new working law reform in Paris today

France's CRS riot police initially used tear gas and baton charges to try and restore order, and then came under heavy attack themselves.

One eyewitness said: 'Molotov cocktails are landing right on top of them. Police are getting badly hurt.'

Anarchists and other radicals wearing black hoodies and facemasks could be seen throwing the improvised bombs, together with bricks and metal bars.

Around 1,200 police officers were deployed to cope with around 10,000 protesters, the majority of whom were peaceful

'We're hear to fight back against a corrupt government,' said Florent Gilbert, a 19-year-old student who had gathered with a group of around 100 agitators.

'The police are trying to clear the streets, but we have every right to show those in power what we think of them,' he said.

As the violence intensified, acts of vandalism took place everywhere, as bus stops and shop fronts were attacked.

There were similar scenes in other French cities, including Nantes and Lyon during the latest round of protests against controversial reforms.

Trade unionists marched peacefully through Paris on a day of protest across France

They were passed last summer with the aim of liberalising the employment market, making it easier for bosses to hire and fire.

But opponents say they are an attack on hard-won worker rights, all of which are now in peril.

The protest marks the 14th of its kind in six months, and saw more than 1,200 police turn up to keep order at the Paris march, which involved around 10,000 protesters.

In May a video emerged of a protesters setting fire to a police car close to Place de la Republique as two officers sat inside.

Demonstrators are engulfed in tear gas smoke during scuffles with riot police following a protest against a controversial labour law in Paris today

Red paint was hurled at French riot police, making today's scenes look bloodier than they were

They managed to scamble to safety just before it burst into flames, as a crowd chanted 'Cops, pigs, killers!'. Four people were later arrested and faced charges.

The government hopes the measures will make France more competitive by encouraging hiring and investment.

Unions say it damages hard-won worker rights, and conservative critics say the changes are too modest to invigorate the French economy which has lagged others in Europe, notably Germany, over the past few years.

So far, the strikes have caused only minimal disruption to schools, transport and other public services.

The civil aviation authority said 15 percent of flights were cancelled at Paris area airports.

French riot police and demonstrators clash during a demonstration against the controversial labour reforms of the French government in Paris today