RAMPING UP: Tensions flare as farmers plough into Barcelona on tractors ahead of Catalunya referendum

Hundreds of farmers have descended on Barcelona in their tractors with Catalan flags draped over them.

They will park their tractors in front of polling stations in a bid to ensure that voting goes ahead and not impeded by police.

The farmers have managed to get into the city of Barcelona from key rural areas including Girona, Tarragona and the Ebro Valley.

Meanwhile 2,315 schools have confirmed they will be open for voters on Sunday.

This comes despite foreign minister Dastis insisting that the vote was illegal and could not go ahead.

He told CNN: “We will not allow one region to make a decision for the whole country.”