Fuel protesters target refineries

Protests in September resulted in widespread fuel shortages

Protesters have gathered at fuel depots across the country to demonstrate against the price of fuel.

Peaceful demonstrations took place at four oil refineries - two in Essex, one in Warwickshire and one at Avonmouth, near Bristol.

In September, fuel protests including one at the Avonmouth refinery, triggered petrol shortages and almost brought the country to a standstill.

The latest protests come a day after William Hague promised to slash fuel tax by 6p a litre in the first Budget of a Tory government.

Although protesters allowed tankers in and out of the depots, some drivers voluntarily chose to turn around.

Spoke to tanker drivers

Around 15 protesters picketed the Vapok distribution centre near Grays, Essex, and a BP distribution depot at Coryton, near Basildon.

An Essex Police spokesman said the protest was peaceful.

In Avonmouth, near Bristol, around 25 protesters spoke to tanker drivers as they arrived and departed from the Esso terminal.

Demonstrators left at around midnight, a spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said.

At the Kingsbury fuel depot in Warwickshire, around 30 protesters began a three-day demonstration.

A police spokeswoman said the protest had been peaceful and deliveries had not been affected.

A week of blockades in September almost brought the country to a standstill.

Car manufacturers were within a week of shutdown by the time supplies started flowing again, according to government sources.

Defence and aerospace industries were also within a week of "serious problems" and steel makers had been on the brink of a 40% reduction in output.

The Avonmouth refinery was targeted again in January, when chairman of the Farmers For Action, David Handley, led 20 to 30 people in a further blockade of the docks.