ATTEMPTS to stage a mass protest by drivers angry at petrol price hikes fell flat yesterday.

Fuel protest leaders had urged motorists to stop their vehicles for one minute at 8.30am yesterday.

But motoring organisations said there was no sign of any protests on motorways.

Drivers had been urged to stop their vehicles on motorway hard shoulders to register their protest at the Treasury's 1.28p-a-litre rise in prices.

The AA issued a warning to motorists, pointing out that stopping on motorway hard shoulders was dangerous and illegal.

The People's Fuel Lobby, which organised the protest, had said it had strong support.

County Durham farmer Andrew Spence, one of those behind the fuel blockades of September 2000 which almost brought the UK to a standstill, claimed victory after two lorries caused a temporary slowdown on the A1(M) near the Angel of the North, at Gateshead.

As the 8.30am deadline approached, Mr Spence was waiting nearby urging traffic to stop.

Then, at 8.38am, there was a large gap in the traffic as the two lorries headed towards him.

Mr Spence walked up the middle of the road clapping his hands and held his thumbs aloft as the truckers edged past.

Afterwards Mr Spence, who farms in Consett, County Durham, said: "To stand in the middle of that road is impossible in the rush-hour normally, so we are pushing the button.

"We have had protests in Manchester, London, Dartford, all over the place, and I am over the moon."

A spokesman for AA Roadwatch, however, said: ''We have monitored all the motorways and have seen no sign of any protest."

Mr Spence said more protests were planned, but would not give any details about them.

Supermarkets have announced they will absorb the rise rather than pass the increase to customers.