The government of Catalonia say hundreds of people have been seriously injured by riot police while trying to vote in an independence referendum.

Official figures say that more than 330 people have been injured, some of those seriously, as they try to vote at local polling stations.

Nine police officers and two Guardia Civil have also been injured, according to the Spanish government.

The Catalan fire service were seen forming a human chain around polling stations to protect citizens from riot police, who were armed with baton and firing rubber bullets into the crowds.

Reports surfaced of riot police using violent means to stop citizens voting on Sunday morning.

Since then, footage of injured Catalans and unprovoked attacks have been widely circulated on social media.

Leaders have condemns the violence being used, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying: "Regardless of views on independence, we should all condemn the scenes being witnessed and call on Spain to change course before someone is seriously hurt."

Many have called for Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy to resign over the police brutality being seen.