Greeks join strike as end of bail-out approaches

A general strike in Greece against plans to extend austerity measures has halted ferry services to the islands and disrupted flights, public transport and other services.

The 24-hour strike called by the country’s largest unions also closed schools and left public hospitals running on emergency staff.

Government budget austerity measures are due to continue for at least two more years after the international bail-out ends in August, starting with another major round of pension cuts next January.

Thousands of protesters gathered in central Athens and the country’s second largest city of Thessaloniki.

In Athens more than 8,000 people marched through the streets in separate demonstrations, while about 3,000 more protested in Thessaloniki.