Anti-globalisation and anti-capitalist protesters are planning four days of demonstrations around the G20 leaders summit in Cannes next month despite a massive security operation to keep them out.

Protesters hope to defy attempts by French authorities to lock down a swath of the Côte d'Azur, including plans to close France's border with Italy to block protesters from crossing into the country.

Residents have been warned to expect major disruption and told that nobody, including those living locally, will be allowed into Cannes without official badges.

Several anti-summit organisations have called on protesters to mobilise in Nice two days before the opening of the 48-hour summit, which will discuss the eurozone crisis, among other issues.

The French movement People First Not Finance and a second group Faced with G20 said a "people's forum" is being organised as an alternative summit in Nice, 20 miles from Cannes. It will begin on 1 November, two days before the official summit.

The groups said they are planning a "major protest, a counter-summit and an action at the Monaco border" to demonstrate against tax havens, as well as concerts, public rallies, and stunts". They are expecting around 15,000 protesters.

Demonstrators have planned a march, a "fiesta" and concerts, but protest leaders had reportedly reached an impasse with police over where events can be staged.

The Black Bloc international network, which calls for violence against symbols of capitalism, had not issued a call to members to attack the G20 summit, according to other anti-G20 groups.

France is desperate to avoid a repeat of violence at the opening of the European Union summit in Nice in 2000, when riot police and around 50,000 anti-capitalism protesters fought in the streets. .

The whole of Cannes is expected to be cordoned off. Extraordinary security measures will involve most of the town's 4,000 manhole covers soldered shut and airborne spy cameras deployed. Petrol stations around Cannes and Nice will be closed, and local hospitals have cancelled non-urgent surgery in preparation for a possible influx of patients.

Cannes was chosen as the venue for the summit specifically because it is easy for police to seal off.

Anti-capitalist and anti-globalisation groups found their plans for similar protests at the G8 summit in Deauville in May foiled after French police surrounded the town, closed roads for miles around and allowed only those with official badges to pass roadblocks, forcing protesters to remain in Le Havre 30 miles away.

Train services to Deauville were cancelled, replaced by coaches that dropped locals off several miles from the town centre.