Catalonia vote: 80% back independence, say organisers

An informal vote on independence for Catalonia has shown more than 80% in favour, organisers say.

The provisional results followed a day of voting across the region in north-eastern Spain.

Earlier, Catalan leader Artur Mas hailed the non-binding poll "a great success" that should pave the way for a formal referendum.

The non-binding vote went ahead after Spain's constitutional court ruled out a formal referendum.

Spanish Justice Minister Rafael Catala dismissed the poll as "fruitless and useless".

"The government considers this to be a day of political propaganda organised by pro-independence forces and devoid of any kind of democratic validity," he said in a statement.

Vice President Joana Ortega said that more than two million people had taken part in the poll and that with almost all votes counted, 80.72% had backed independence.

Mr Mas said that the "consultation of citizens" was a historic success that set the stage for a full referendum.