Greek shoppers flee as protesters clash with police

RIOT police clashed with rock-throwing demonstrators in central Athens yesterday, sending Christmas shoppers and people in cafes running for cover.

Frightened parents scooped up their children from a Christmas carousel in the city’s main square and fled.

The protesters broke away from a peaceful rally and hurled rocks and firebombs at police and buildings near parliament, overturned a car and set fire to bins. They also splashed police with red paint.