Thousands of supporters of Catalonia's independence from Spain have gathered across the north-eastern province of the country to try to form a 400km (250 mile) human chain.

Villages, towns and cities, including Barcelona joined hands to mark Catalan Independence Day and to press the case for nationhood for the semi-autonomous region, which has its own language.

Speaking to the BBC's Tom Burridge, Catalan President Artur Mas said he is "trying to negotiate" a legal framework with central government to allow the region a referendum on independence in 2014.