French lorry drivers have set up dozens of roadblocks after the collapse of talks with employers over pay.

But worse misery for travellers is threatened after the cancellation of at least 280 flights ahead of an unrelated strike by air traffic controllers, due to begin on Monday evening.

The French rail network and other parts of the public sector are expected to be hit by strikes on Tuesday.

In the lorry drivers' dispute, about 30 blockades were in place across France by early Monday - but disruption was relatively small, and only 15 blockades were reported to be still in place by late afternoon.

The action was targeted mainly at commercial rather than private traffic.

The lads are very mobilised, they are going for it

Maxime Dumont CFDT union

Regional officials in Lower Normandy were forced to introduce petrol rationing after panic-buying by motorists fearing shortages.

Police intervened to break up several protests, but drivers were reported to be moving blockades from one place to another to avoid having their driving licences confiscated.

Flights hit

As air traffic controllers prepared to walk out on Monday evening, airlines slashed their schedules.

British Airways said at least 64 flights on Monday and Tuesday were being scrapped, and Air France said a "large number" of its services would be hit, without specifying how many.

Smaller carriers flying into France from other European countries were also cancelling dozens of flights.

The air strike is in sympathy with a walkout and mass marches called on Tuesday by railway staff and other public service workers who are opposed to moves towards privatisation.

Thousands of motorists have stocked up with extra fuel

Road blockades sprang up in dozens of locations throughout France, notably near the airport in Marseille, at wholesale markets in Toulouse and Lille, the Tancarville bridge over the river Seine in Normandy, the A7 motorway south of Lyon and the A6 motorway south of Paris - though some of these were later reported to have been dismantled.

The ring road around the western city of Caen was also blocked, and more barricades were set up near the northern port of Le Havre, and at a key entry point to the motorway from the north to Paris.

In most cases the lorry drivers were halting other lorries, and allowing private motorists through.

Queues built up at some petrol stations as nervous drivers stocked up with extra fuel.

In Lower Normandy, local authorities limited motorists to purchases of no more than 20 litres (5.3 gallons) per car.

Cross-channel shoppers and lorry drivers were bracing themselves for impact, as the unions insisted they were determined to make their mark.

"The lads are very mobilised - they are going for it," Maxime Dumont from the CFDT union said.

The right to strike must not be confused with blockading the country

Gilles de Robien Transport Minister

Union leaders warned that major industrial targets like fuel depots would be targeted in a second phase if talks remained deadlocked.

Key economic sites, including fuel depots and border crossings, were reportedly under police observation.

"The right to strike must not be confused with blockading the country," said Transport Minister Gilles de Robien.

"We are urging all lorry drivers very strongly to abstain from any action likely to disrupt the economic life of the country," he said.

Pay dispute

Lorry drivers are split over the pay deal on offer.

Four smaller unions - the FO, CFTC, CGC and FNCR - have provisionally accepted a 14% rise over three years.

But the two bigger unions, the CFDT and CGT - which represent more than half of French lorry drivers - rejected the package.

They want an extra month's pay - a common practice in France - and a 10% reduction in working hours.

Employers say they cannot meet the demands because their profits have shrunk as a result of growing competition from elsewhere in the EU.

With shared borders with six countries and ferry and tunnel links with Britain, French blockades could have repercussions across Europe.

Have you been affected by the blockades? Tell us your experiences using the form below.

I'm French and I'm shocked by the governments actions, having the police confiscate the lorry drivers' licenses! They have the right to demonstrate and to show their discontent, to send in the police is wrong in a country where liberty of expression is the motto.
Julie Vitte, France

I am living near Nice, in France. The situation here is getting bad. Some persons have tried to block the motorways for private vehicles as well. Already, the grocery supply to various supermarkets have been affected. It is bound to get worse if the strike is not called off. The strikes, however, are a part of French Culture :-)
Venkatesh, France

Send us your comments: Name: Your E-mail Address: Country: Comments:

Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.

---