France votes in first round of regional elections

France goes to the polls on Sunday in the first round of elections to choose regional assemblies. The second round of voting takes place in a week's time .

It is the first electoral test since the Paris attacks in November, and the far-right Front National is hoping to score gains. Its leader Marine Le Pen is aiming to become regional president in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie region of northern France.

Hugh Schofield reports from Paris.