A MILITANT fuel protestor has warned there could be a repeat of last autumn's crippling fuel blockades if fears of a widespread rise in fuel costs prove correct.

Shell yesterday put up the price of petrol by a penny a litre blaming the increase in the cost of crude oil.

The move came as the Petrol Retailers' Association warned that all major oil companies may increase prices by a penny a litre in the run up to the General Election.

It would effectively wipe out Chancellor Gordon Brown's cut in fuel duty announced in last month's budget.

Ardent fuel protestor Andrew Spence, who is standing for the Sedgefield seat against Prime Minister Tony Blair, warned there could be "trouble ahead".

"The telephone calls I've had have been very hostile to the announcement," he said.

"Some people are wanting to take direct action now and other people are prepared to give the benefit of the doubt and wait and see."

He said he was "very disappointed" with Shell's decision. "Direct action is always a possibility," he said.

"If we went back to direct action I think we would have a great deal of support because at the end of the day it affects Joe Public.

"We would be very reluctant to do that because of the problems British agriculture is facing, but that's not to say the hauliers won't carry the fight on for us."

His warning came as a survey revealed 58 per cent of drivers would support more blockades to bring down petrol prices.

The study, carried out by market research company BMRB International, showed more than half thought the Government was to blame for current petrol prices.

Shell's cut was sparked after plans by Opec to cut production triggered a rise in crude oil, bringing the cost of a barrel close to the 30 US dollars (£21) it hit before last year's protests.

Sainsbury's, Asda and Tesco said they would be watching the market very closely while Esso and Texaco said they adjusted prices site by site.