Spanish authorities declared the Catalonian referendum of independence illegal

Catalan government officials said ballot boxes were ready and predicted a big turnout.

But the Spanish interior ministry says police officers have begun seizing ballot papers and boxes as the polls opened.

Thousands of supporters of independence have occupied the schools designated as voting centres.

In the regional capital Barcelona, witnesses said police had fired rubber bullets during pro-referendum protests.

According to emergency services, thirty-eight people have been injured.