Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Athens as a general strike paralysed Greece.

Footage shows the crowd made up of workers, students, and teachers filling the streets with banners and chants demanding higher pay on April 9.

They gathered at Stadiou Street and proceeded towards Syntagma Square.

The strike lasted 24 hours, organised by members of trade unions and various political parties.

Trade unionist Alekos Perrakis said: 'We demand increases for all salaries, which aren't enough to last until even the 20th of the month.'

Alekos also called for better healthcare and education as Greece faced a rising cost of living.

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece said that many spend more than 40 per cent of their income on housing and heating.

Hotel chef Georgios Skoufos said: 'Wage increases are wiped out by high costs, forcing us to cut back to survive.'

Public sector union ADEDY demanded the return of holiday bonuses for civil servants, cut during austerity measures.

Commercial flights were grounded from midnight of Wednesday, April 9, to midnight of Thursday, April 10.