The growing resentment over the Greek government’s strict austerity plans is still only at simmering point, but in places it has boiled.

Earlier, as tens of thousands marched to demonstrate against the severe cutbacks and tax rises some protesters clashed with riot police.

Around 50 hooded youths, away from the main rally in Athens, hurled sticks and pieces of broken marble from the steps of the Bank of Greece at security forces.

The level of violence was nothing like that which was seen in 2008 following the police killing of a teenager.

But with fears anything similar could lead to weeks of paralysis authorities weren’t taking any chances.

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