Protesters warn of fuel blockades

Fuel protesters have warned that blockades could be set up outside distribution depots following Chancellor Gordon Brown's announcement of a fresh rise in petrol prices.

Andrew Spence, of the People's Fuel Lobby, said angry hauliers, farmers and ordinary motorists would meet at a secret location in Birmingham to plan their response to a 1.28p-a-litre rise in fuel prices announced by Mr Brown earlier this week.

Co Durham farmer Mr Spence, who led fuel protests three years ago, said: "Feelings are running very high. There is a lot of support out there for action again and this time they won't know what hit them.

"Last time we gave them 60 days. This time they won't get six hours. They're not going to be prepared for us and if we start we won't be going away.

"People just aren't going to stand for this. There is so much anger out there among farmers, hauliers and just ordinary people.

"When you couple it with the council tax rises, enough is enough. I think Mr Blair is going to be looking for another job."

The protest in 2000 brought large parts of Britain to a standstill when activists picketed fuel distribution depots, leaving thousands of petrol stations without supplies.

Demonstrations also included go-slows on motorways and in city centres.

The 1.28p rise was announced in this year's Budget but postponed for six months because of the war in Iraq and the volatility of world oil prices.

The Treasury said it was going ahead with the move from October 1 as the

Middle East situation had "calmed down" and oil prices stabilised. But critics claimed the continuing difficulties in Iraq - coupled with a decision by the top oil exporting countries to cut production by 3.5% - made the rise unjustified.

Most watched News videos