[scanny]

Five lorries, five cars and two motor bikes are staging a protest in Greater Manchester against the price of fuel.
The vehicles, which were followed by police, left Lymm truck stop at Warrington Lymm Services on the M56 at 9am Saturday morning to head towards Mancunian Way and Regent Road near Manchester city centre.

Motorist and organiser of the demonstration

Duncan Burrow, who is from the lobbying group BritainsRevolting, said: "We want the Government to start looking at the situation properly and do something about it. The amount we pay for fuel at the moment is ridiculous.

"We want the duty on fuel to be dropped by around 25p because at the moment we are paying about 25p to 30p more than the rest of Europe. As a motorist I am spending in the region of £30 a week more in fuel than just over a year ago."

Despite the low turnout Mr Burrow, a computer engineer who lives in Crewe, said the fuel protest "can make a difference".

He said: "It shows that we are not happy about what is going on and also the public will come out and support us."

Mr Burrow organised the demonstration by e-mailing haulage companies.

Ian Hill, a driver with Andrew Porter Ltd based in Adlington, Chorley, also joined the protest.

He said: "We had eight to 10 drivers who said they would come and there is three of us here. The other week there were loads of us here. If we have a proper turnout it will make a difference. I run a car myself and you just can't afford to do stuff like you used to."

Speaking about the morale amongst hauliers and drivers Mr Hill, who has been a driver for 17 years with Andrew Porter Ltd, said: "It is rubbish. It's just horrible."
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