Greek workers have walked off their jobs for the first general strike since the country's coalition government was formed in June.

The stoppage comes as Athens struggles to push through more punishing austerity measures demanded by rescue creditors.

The protest will halt flights for hours and shut down everything from schools, ferry services and hospitals to shops and customs offices.

Police are to deploy across the centre of the capital in a bid to prevent demonstrations from turning violent, as they often have in the past.

The strike is seen as a test of public tolerance for more hardship, following the near-collapse in support for traditionally dominant political parties after more than two years of austerity.