The regional leader of Catalonia has called off a vote on independence from Spain scheduled for November 9, but said that an unofficial poll will still be held to gauge sentiment on secession.

Artur Mas insisted that the Catalan government is not backtracking.

He said it still intends to push ahead with an official vote at a later date.

Separatists in the wealthy north-eastern region, which has 7.5 million people, have been trying for years to hold a vote to break away from Spain and carve out a new Mediterranean nation.

Mr Mas said it still intends to push ahead with an official vote at a later date, but added the symbolic vote would serve as a "preliminary" ballot.

He said: "The Catalan government maintains its goal of holding a referendum on November 9. It means there will be polling stations open, with ballot boxes and ballots.

"It will depend on the people for a strong enough participation to show that people here want to vote."

Mr Mas was forced to suspended the referendum after the Spanish government challenged its legality before Spain's Constitutional Court, which suspended its staging while it deliberates on the issue.

Spain said only the Spanish state can call referendums on sovereignty, and that all Spaniards would be entitled to vote.

Mr Mas said with the referendum suspended, the Catalan government would rely on another law that allows a public consultation.

He said the decision had caused a fracture among the region's pro-vote parties.