Still thinking of going to France this weekend? Half the country's petrol stations have run dry, riots break out in Paris and human traffickers are waging war in Calais

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As thousands prepare to make trips across the Channel for the bank holiday weekend, British motorists were advised to cancel trips to France today as fuel pumps ran dry and violent industrial action against employment reform spread across the country.

Up to half of the country's 12,000-odd petrol stations are now empty, as riot police were sent in to try and lift blockades of fuel refineries. 

By this afternoon, all but one of the blockades manned by union activists had been cleared away, a government spokesman said, adding that the situation is 'improving everywhere, all over the country'.

It came as French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned that 'this country is dying from its inability to reform'.

Meanwhile, a mass brawl involving people smugglers at the 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais left 40 injured, including a young female aid worker, yesterday. 

Workers on strike were evacuated by riot police today as they blocked access to an oil depot near the Total refinery of Donges, western France. Up to half of the country's 12,000-odd petrol stations are now empty, as police were sent in to try to lift blockades of fuel refineries

Motorists queue at a petrol station in Versailles amid fears British visitors may become stranded over the bank holiday weekend

The north and north-west of France are badly affected - meaning any British people hoping to get down south could be in particular trouble. Above, strikers in Donges

A French labour union employee on strike stands near a burning barricade during a police operation to free up a fuel depot

British motorists were advised to cancel trips to France today as fuel pumps ran dry and violent industrial action against employment reform spread across the country (above, in Donges today)

Riot police officers clash with protesters during a demonstration held yesterday in Paris as part of nationwide labour actions

A man holds a bouquet of flowers and a torch as he faces riot police during a demonstration in the city of Lyon

The north and north-west of France have been badly affected by the fuel shortage - meaning any British people hoping to get down south could be in particular trouble.

As well as those travelling to the Continent this weekend, the situation could also affect others looking forward to the Euro 2016 football championships early next month.

Breakdown recovery firms said numerous customers had already been stranded, with the RAC saying journeys should be cancelled unless a vehicle has fuel for the entire journey.

Simon Williams, the RAC's fuel spokesman, added: 'Anyone currently in France is going to struggle to find fuel for their return journey and probably shouldn't even attempt to get home unless they can do so on one tank.

'We suspect finding somewhere to fill up in the worst-affected areas will be extremely difficult.' 

Nationwide protests (Paris, above) on Thursday saw 153,000 people take to the streets overall, officials said - although union leaders put the number at 300,000

A spokesman for Green Flag said: 'With limited supplies of fuel available, those planning their trip to France will need to consider their journey carefully and think about fuel economy.'

And a spokesman for P&O Ferries said: 'We are operating a full schedule of sailings to Calais today and our advice to customers is to enjoy driving in France as usual over the bank holiday weekend.

'Customers should also be aware that P&O Ferries now allows drivers to bring up to five litres of spare fuel on board with them, provided it is in an approved container.'

Meanwhile, a government spokesman said: 'Blockades have been removed at all the depots, except for the depot at Gargenville (in the Paris area), which is on strike.'

Police cleared 15 depots out of around 100 nationwide.

'Unblocking these depots will allow an increase in delivery capacity to resupply more and more petrol stations,' the spokesman added.

He said around a fifth of French petrol stations were still facing shortages following a week of strikes and blockades called by unions protesting against labour law reforms.

Six of France's eight oil refineries were also still either shut down or operating at reduced capacity as a result of ongoing union action.

Protests have been taking place in opposition to new employment law which makes it easier for bosses to hire and fire, and which threaten the 35-hour working week.

While President Francois Hollande insists this will bring down unemployment, most see it as an attack on job security.

FEARS THAT UK MOTORISTS WILL BE STRANDED ON THE CONTINENT

Labour union employees stand near a barricade to block the entrance of the SFDM depot near the oil refinery at Donges to protest the labour reforms law proposal this morning

Motorists are being advised to fill up their tanks before leaving the UK as industrial action and motorway blockades continue this week in France, creating a fuel shortage.

Truckers are reporting having to visit several stations before finding petrol and being allowed to buy only a limited amount due to rationing.

Now, as people prepare to cross the Channel over the Bank Holiday weekend, there are fears they could become stranded on their return journey.

A spokesman for the Freight Transport Association said: 'We anticipated problems when the strike started earlier this week.

'We've been working with members and they seem to be OK at the moment. We're advising that people fill up here, which in the long run will be good for the UK economy.

'But we don't think that will mean problems here; it's more likely that people will struggle getting back home as the shortages continue in France.

'We're telling people to be prepared; check maps showing which stations in France have already run out.'

A spokesman for the AA Association added: 'It won't affect this side of the Channel. The only thing it might mean is that people will be coming off the ferry back into the UK running on fumes.'

Drivers heading to the continent today via Dover have reported queues at the service stations nearby, as people desperately fill their tanks.

One told BBC Radio Kent: 'I heard about the strikes and I've put in as much as I can, and filled four cans up'.

Another said: 'I saw coaches and lorries queuing at the station on the motorway, while another driver said he had planned his route to the south of France already, and which stations he can stop off at.'

Lorry Driver Tony Henderson, who regularly travels to France from his base in Belfast, said some filling stations are now limiting drivers to 200 litres of diesel. His truck holds 900 litres - and there was little information available.

He said earlier this week: 'If you can't get fuel, you can't move. And if you have a full tank then you're a sitting target overnight for thieves. It's a Catch 22 situation.

'It would help if the overhead gantries on the motorways gave information but there's no help at all.'

Last summer's action by striking ferry workers cost the transport and logistics industry an estimated £21million due to delays, cancelled ferry sailing and interrupted Eurotunnel crossings.

FTA Deputy Chief Executive James Hookham said: 'The damage caused to our members was far-reaching and this can't be allowed to happen again.

'The Port of Calais handles £89billion worth of UK trade every year. It's a vital trade route that must be protected.'

French riot police today removed picketers and barricades blocking access to a large fuel distribution depot as Hollande warned anti-reform protesters that he would not let them strangle the economy.

The police operation to free up a fuel depot near the Donges oil refinery in western France followed similar swoops at other depots this week to ease petrol shortages caused by picketers fighting planned labour law reforms.

Speaking in Japan after a summit with other world leaders, Hollande said France's economy was starting to pick up and should not be derailed by opponents of a reform designed to make hiring and firing easier.

'I will stay the course because this is a good reform and we must go all the way to adoption,' the Socialist leader said. 'This is not the time to put the French economy in difficulty.'

There were 80 arrests on Thursday as thousands took to the streets in major cities, fighting police and destroying property.

A man in a French CGT union's jacket surveys the scene as workers on strike block access to an oil depot near the Total refinery of Donges

In Paris, police were hit by rocks and bottles, as tear gas and baton charges were used to restore order.

Nuclear plant staff have joined in the dispute, meaning that electricity and other power supplies could be shut down.

Philippe Martinez, leader of the powerful CGT trade union, has vowed to continue the action until the employment legislation is withdrawn.

Despite the disruption to motorists, much of the French public back the strikers, with polls showing that 70 per cent are against the new law.

But embattled Valls said: 'The withdrawal of the bill would show it is impossible to govern. This country is dying from its inability to reform.'

Mr Valls did, however, suggest the government would be open to 'modifying' the reforms.

There were 80 arrests on Thursday as thousands took to the streets in major cities, fighting police and destroying property. Above, a damaged car in Paris

Guns and knives at mass brawl in the 'Jungle'

Meanwhile, up to 40 UK-bound migrants were injured in a mass gang fight involving guns and knives at the biggest refugee camp in Calais, police said today.

It broke out in the so-called ‘Jungle’ on Thursday, as around 200 Afghans and Sudanese fought over routes into Britain.

A young female aid worker was among those seriously hurt.

Three of the victims were seriously injured, including one person who was stabbed, local official Fabienne Buccio told reporters.

Up to 40 UK-bound migrants were injured in a mass gang fight involving guns and knives at the biggest refugee camp in Calais (pictured), police said today

She denied an early report from a police source that someone had been shot.

The victims also included two riot police and several members of a local aid group, La Vie Active, which runs the aid centre.

A total of 260 police officers were sent to the camp along with 11 ambulances.

Some 15 fire service vehicles also had to be called, as shelters were burned down by the rioters.

People smugglers were said to be involved in the trouble, which came as the improving weather sees more migrants arriving in the Channel port town.

‘The brawl was extremely vicious, and 15 of those injured had to be taken to hospital for treatment,’ said a police source.

‘Hundreds of men were involved in the trouble on Thursday morning, and many ended up with stab wounds. One person was shot, and fires broke out all over the place.’

People smugglers were said to be involved in the trouble, which came as the improving weather sees more migrants arriving in the Channel port town

CRS riot police were called to the sprawling camp, which includes an ‘official’ section which is watched over by security guards.

But the trouble was in the shantytown of tents and makeshift huts next door, where fights regularly break out.

‘Around 40 men were badly hurt, and a police officer was also injured as the CRS intervened,’ said the source.

The fight broke out as food was being distributed at the Jules-Ferry aid centre, said witnesses, and quickly spread to other parts of the camp.

French and British charities say there are currently up to 5,000 staying around the Jungle area, as they make nightly attempts to get to Britain on boats and trains.

Part of the camp was razed by the authorities earlier this year, but this has not prevented new arrivals. 

Smoke rises from the huts and tents set on fire during clashes between migrants at the makeshift camp