Catalonia poll 'backs independence'

An informal vote on independence for Catalonia has shown more than 80% in favour, officials have said.

The provisional results followed a day of voting across the region in north-eastern Spain.

Earlier, Catalan leader Artur Mas hailed the non-binding poll "a great success" that should pave the way for a formal referendum.

However Spanish Justice Minister Rafael Catala dismissed the poll as "fruitless and useless".

Guy Hedgecoe reports from Barcelona.