Youths throw Molotov cocktails in Athens, as thousands protest against the ‘vicious cycle’ of austerity in Greece during the first general strike since Alexis Tsipras became PM

Petrol bombs were also thrown at bins, a van, roadblocks, and the front of the Bank of Greece’s offices. Reporters on the scene said groups of youths were behind the disruption.

Riot police hit back with teargas and stun grenades, sending demonstrators – and at least one group of holidaymakers from the UK – scattering.

Before the clashes, more than 20,000 people marched through Athens to urge the government to abandon the austerity measures demanded by its lenders. Here’s a selection of photos from the day.

Demonstrators told us that they fear for Greece’s future, as winter approached.

“The situation is tragic and soon when the government pushes us more on the tax front, more on the cuts front it won’t be good natured at all.

And 63-year-old Maria Athanassiadou told AFP:

“I am protesting against the government because they are making fools of us. I am a pensioner and I have no idea what my pension will be.”

Unions say that today’s general strike was well-observed across Greece, as the public show their anger over Greece’s third bailout package.

But small businesses have criticised unions for calling the walkout. They fear it will harm the country’s attempts to end the financial crisis.

Transport connections have been shut down today, along with some museums, schools and pharmacies. Many travellers arrived at rail stations or ports to find trains cancelled, and ferries tied up.

Belgium’s finance minister criticised Tsipras’s Syriza party for supporting the protests, against a bailout which Tsipras signed up to this summer.

But a government spokesman denied that this was inconsistent, as:

“We are implementing an agreement which includes (bailout) measures which are unfair.”

And while the protests took place, officials from Greece and its lenders battled to reach a deal on mortgage arrears rules. Athens still wants to protect more homeowners from losing their houses if they can’t meet their repayments.

A deal must come before Monday, if Greece is to unlock €10bn of aid to recapitalise its banks, plus €2bn in loans.