Thousands of Italian women turned out across the country to protest against Premier Silvio Berlusconi, saying his dalliances with young women humiliated the sex as a whole.

Supporters of the 74-year-old leader and media mogul dismissed today's demonstrations as strictly political.

Berlusconi is being investigated for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer who says he lavished cash and jewellery on her. Both deny they had sex with each other.

The premier, who willingly acknowledges his fondness for pretty young women, claims he is being victimised by leftist prosecutors who want to topple him from power.

Rome's Piazza del Popolo was packed with women of all ages, along with their children, husbands or boyfriends.