Fuel protesters to target oil depots in re-run of demo which rocked government in 2000

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Fuel protesters yesterday announced "a new wave of militancy", threatening action at key oil facilities nationwide.

They are hoping to recreate the fuel protests which rocked the Government seven years ago.

Organisers insisted it would be a "legal" demonstration, but some hardliners said they could not rule out blockades.

A splinter group is also planning to target Gordon Brown tomorrow by disrupting his trip to the House of Commons for Prime Minister's Questions.

They have suggested staging a juggernaut "go-slow" around Parliament Square at noon with about 20 slow-moving trucks.

Any threat to strategic oil supplies at terminals such as Graingemouth in Scotland will be met with far tougher action from the Government - potentially including use of anti-terror laws and the military.

Ministers were caught off-guard by the 2000 protest when the pumps ran dry and the country was almost brought to standstill.

They are dusting down emergency plans which include impounding lorries, as well prices rise well past the £1 a litre barrier.

A spokesman for militant motoring group MAD, who styles himself Captain Gatso, said his group was committed to disrupting Mr Brown's journey to Parliament.

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Protest: Lorry drivers say they planning a massive campaign to protest soaring petrol prices

"The aim is to gridlock his chauffeur-driven car and force him to walk to Prime Minister's Question time in the House of Commons," he said.

Mainstream motoring groups said the protest threats would send an early "warning shot" to Mr Brown of the backlash he could face if he pressed ahead with plans to impose the second of three planned fuel tax rises next Spring.

RAC Foundation executive director Edmund King said: "The real crunch will come if the Government stands by its pledge to impose another 2p a litre rise in duty next Spring.

"It would be beyond the pale. These current protests are a shot across the Government's bows - a warning shot."

Unleaded petrol now averages £1.03p a litre - of which 66p is tax which goes to the Treasury. Diesel is £1.08p.