Hundreds of petrol stations in France have run out of fuel after strikers halted production at several refineries in the country.

The fuel shortages come amid massive strikes that have affected transport, power stations, schools and even tourist attractions since they began on 5 December in response to proposed pension reforms.

The latest industrial action saw the Petroinéos refinery near Marseille and the Grandpuits Total site near Paris shut down this week.

On Friday, government figures revealed 227 petrol stations were experiencing fuel shortages, up from 215 the previous day.

Unions have threatened closures at other sites unless the government withdraws plans to introduce a universal pension scheme, which workers describe as a betrayal of their rights.

The French government attempted to reassure the public, stating depots were experiencing “temporary difficulties” with their shipments. Ecology minister Elisabeth Borne said in a statement: “The situation is giving no cause for concern.”

France strikes bring country to a standstill Show all 6 1 /6 France strikes bring country to a standstill France strikes bring country to a standstill Stations closed Metro stations in Paris closed amid nationwide strikes Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Transport paralysed Rail operator SNCF cancelled 90 per cent of all high-speed trains across France Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Nationwide protests People protest against the pension overhauls, in Perpignan, southern France, on 5 December, 2019 as part of a national general strike AFP/Getty France strikes bring country to a standstill Public services walkout Firefighters in Marseille lay on the ground as they take part in a demonstration to protest against the pension overhauls Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Protesters take to streets A man wearing a clown mask and waving a smoke bomb takes part in a demonstration protesting against pension overhauls Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Getty

Despite the disruption, public support remains strong for the strikes, with a recent poll revealing 62 per cent back them.

Public donations to a union fundraiser have passed €1.3 million (£1.1m), which will provide financial assistance to workers on strike.

There is no set end for the action but talks between the government and the unions will begin again in January in an attempt to resolve the deadlock.

Calls for a “Christmas truce” by president Emmanuel Macron were ignored, forcing hundreds of thousands of travellers to find alternative routes or cancel plans altogether over the holidays.

Amazon deliveries were also affected, after electricity workers cut power to the Blanc-Mesnil site on the outskirts of Paris on 22 December.

The CGT union claimed responsibility for the power outages, while also taking credit for restoring electricity to homes that were unable to pay their bills.