French police were forced to fire tear gas on Thursday as England fans were involved in clashes ahead of the start of Euro 2016.

Trouble flared in the southern French city of Marseille overnight, where supporters from England and Russia are gathering for their Euro 2016 clash on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said the fight, outside an Irish pub in the Mediterranean city's Old Port district, was quickly dealt with by police, who used tear gas to restore calm.

Local youths were apparently involved in the trouble, along with English fans drinking in the pub.

Police used tear gas, and riot police with shields separated the two groups.

Ambulances were seen arriving just after midnight. It was not known if anyone was injured, but police said two people were arrested.

It's not the first time England fans were involved in violent clashes with locals in Marseille. There was also trouble during the World Cup in 1998.