Italian police used tear gas and batons to break up a protest by activists against a planned high speed train line linking the country with France.

Dozens were reported injured in Monday's rally, called to oppose the rail plan which they believe will ruin the valley area between the northwestern Italian city of Turin and Lyon in France.

Some protestors threw objects at the police as they worked to tear down barricades set up to prevent construction work from starting.

Italy's Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said Sunday that work on the line would go ahead, or the country risks losing EU funds set aside for the project.