PARIS (Reuters) – A pension reform bill that includes a controversial rise in the retirement age cleared its first main hurdle yesterday when France's lower house approved it after a bitter debate among lawmakers.

The bill was backed by 329 members, with 233 opposing it after a marathon overnight debate. Trade unionists have organised protests against the reforms, which the government says are necessary to fix France's public finances.

The vote, the half way stage before the bill is adopted, was never in question as President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling party retains a comfortable majority in the lower house of parliament.