A protest opposing the passage of France's same-sex marriage bill descended into violence last night, with a group of protesters scuffling with riot police.

Several policemen were injured in the incidents which followed on from a peaceful demonstration of thousands of opponents to the law legalising gay marriage and adoption, passed by the French parliament earlier in the day.

With several demonstrations turning violent in recent days, police were out in force at the event and a small core of protesters turned on them.

Around 100, mostly young, demonstrators threw bottles, stones and pieces of street furniture at the security forces, who used tear gas to keep them back.

Deputies in France's parliament voted 331 to 225 in favour of the law which makes the country the 14th in the world to allow same-sex marriages.

But the landmark social reform has faced vocal protests from an opposition movement uniting social conservatives with religious groups and hundreds of thousands have been brought out onto the streets in recent months.