An anti-austerity strike by Belgian public sector workers has seen Eurostar services to Brussels cancelled today.

Several trains to and from Lille are also affected, with a reduced timetable in place until tomorrow morning.

Passengers travelling on the early Thursday services have been asked to allow extra time for their journey.

In a statement on the Eurostar website, the train company said: "Due to a national strike in Belgium on April 22, Eurostar services on the Brussels route will only be able to operate to and from Lille Europe on this day.

"The impact of this means that Eurostar will be working to a reduced timetable to and from Lille Europe. There will be no services to or from Brussels Midi."

The strike has been called by all three of Belgium's main trades unions as a protest against a variety of austerity measures in the country that have affected working conditions.

The socialist Algemene Centrale der Openbare Diensten (General Federation of Public Services), is joined by the Christian and the liberal unions.

The ACOD represents workers from a number of public sector industries in Belgium, including the railways, local authorities, education, postal service and energy sectors.

The strike is expected to bring Belgium's transport system to a standstill today, along with several other public services.

For more information on Eurostar services visit the company's website.