Fuel protests reach Scotland

Some English petrol stations are running out of fuel

Scotland looks set to get its first taste of the protests against high fuel costs which have spread from France into England and Wales.

Farmers and hauliers were planning to block many of the major routes into Scotland, on Sunday, as anger about petrol and diesel prices mounts.

Dozens of vehicles were expected to block the A1 at Brownyside, north of Alnwick, Northumberland, as well as the A697 at Coldstream and the M6 north of Carlisle.

Farmer Charlie Armstrong, one of the organisers, said farmers from Scotland would across the border to take part, and it was hoped they would be joined by some bus companies.

'Spontaneous response'

He said: "We are going to block the A1 for an hour and then drive away very slowly.

"This is going to be the start of many similar protests here and we're going to carry on until we get some results."

Jeff O'Connell, who was also taking part in the protest, said: "This is very much a spontaneous response from farmers and hauliers.

"People have run out of patience. The high price of fuel ultimately affects the consumers - they are the ones who will have to pay for these additional costs."

The protest follows a similar blockade on the A1 at Gateshead on Friday which caused traffic chaos.

Further protests are planned in the north of England over the next few days.