The strike comes as European leaders gather for a summit in Seville, the last during Spain's presidency of the EU.

There were angry protests in the centre of the capital, Madrid

Pickets have been trying to close department stores and shopping centres

Some strikers became involved in public arguments

The action meant that Madrid's main bus station was virtually empty

In the second city Barcelona, there were scuffles outside a bank...

...and in Seville, ahead of Friday's European summit, riot police were out in force

But not everyone has been staying away from work