Campaigning begins in Catalan in election as four separatists kept in jail

Campaigning has begun in the regional elections called by Spain's government seeking to quash the Catalan independence movement - with some candidates either in jail or out of the country to avoid arrest.

The highly polarised Catalan parliament elections are due to take place on December 21 and are shaping up as a close fight between Catalans who support secession and those who favour remaining in Spain.