Bikers stage fuel price protest

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The protesters gathered at Birch services on the M62 north of Manchester before heading off in a slow-moving convoy.

The demo was organised by motorcycling groups, but they were joined by some taxi and lorry drivers.

Police stopped traffic on the motorway before the bikers left the service station, bound for Salford. The Highways Agency warned motorists to find alternative routes if possible.

It was the latest in a long line of fuel protests and came as some Labour backbenchers joined a chorus of voices warning Prime Minister Gordon Brown not to go ahead with a planned 2p increase in fuel duty this autumn.

Police estimate between 400 and 500 bikers took part in the protest.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said a "small number" of lorry drivers failed to comply with the rules agreed with the organisers of today's protest.

The truckers were accused of breaking away from the protest group and driving at an unacceptably slow speed.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "The vast majority of those taking part have expressed their views in a way that was agreed with police, that was safe for motorists and that caused minimum disruption.

"We are disappointed that a small number of other demonstrators let them down and acted in an unacceptable way, causing added disruption to some drivers."