The strikers are concentrating on stopping heavy goods vehicles at ports, oil refineries and major roads.

Talks to try to end the dispute over pay and conditions are scheduled for tomorrow.

At 1000 local time (2100 GMT) pickets from the biggest union, Force Ouvriere, used concrete blocks to seal off part of the ferry port at Calais.

About 15 British lorries caught behind the blockade were allowed to go through, as a gesture of goodwill.

But union officials said that from midnight (2300 GMT) no lorries would be allowed in or out of the port.

The Road Haulage Association in Britain said it expected hundreds of drivers to be trapped in spite of driving through the night in an attempt to beat the blockades.

Across France there are barricades at oil depots, important intersections and borders.

However, strikers say they are only targeting freight and are allowing ordinary motorists through.

Britain's Freight Transport Association has said it is not hopeful the dispute will end quickly and is calling on the French police to ensure the safety and free passage of drivers.

Earlier on Sunday French drivers' unions rejected a 5% pay offer from one of the smaller employers' organisations, UNOSTRA.

The offer was turned down by local union branches as well as the larger UFT employers' federation, representing 80% of truck companies.

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