The Eurozone has slipped back into its second recession in three years as the crisis in Portugal, Spain and Greece spreads to other countries in the region.

Economies of the 17 nation block contracted by 0.1 per cent between July and September, after shrinking by 0.2 per cent in the previous three months.

Germany and France both managed a modest 0.2 per cent grain in growth, but there were contractions in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, with continued collapses in Greece and Portugal.

The news comes a day after mass anti-austerity strikes and protests across Europe turned violent in Rome, Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon. Further strikes and demonstrations are also being planned in Greece and France.

The Eurozone was last in recession back in 2009, when the economy contracted for five consecutive quarters.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner