Jacques Chirac corruption trial opens in his absence

The trial of former French President Jacques Chirac has begun in Paris without the defendant turning up.

Doctors treating Mr Chirac, 78, say he is not fit enough to appear in court because he is suffering from memory loss.

Mr Chirac is accused on two charges of illegal funding for his Rally for the Republic (RPR) party while he was mayor of Paris.

Christian Fraser reports from Paris.