CAMPAIGNERS have called off protests over rising fuel prices, after the Government's pledge to review its planned petrol tax increase.

Farmers and hauliers had planned to bring Newcastle city centre to a halt on Wednesday, with a two hour, go-slow convoy of lorries.

But organisers said yesterday that all protests in the UK would be put on hold, after Prime Minister Tony Blair promised to review a proposed 2p-a-litre increase, due to be introduced in September.

Chancellor Gordon Brown has indicated he will make a final decision on the rise in August.

County Durham farmer Andrew Spence, senior spokesman for the People's Fuel Lobby, said: "We feel it is a positive sign in the right direction.

"We are being sensitive at the moment, especially when the Government is making positive dialogue, so we are prepared to give Mr Brown the benefit of the doubt and see what his proposals are."

But Mr Spence, from Leadgate, near Consett, warned that further protests could still go ahead. "This is only a postponement," he said.

"If we do not get the continuation of positive dialogue, there will be no more warnings given."

There had been go-slow protests planned for Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and London, on the eve of local, European and London mayoral elections.

One demonstration, in Cardiff, is expected to go ahead today, as campaigners said it was too late in the day to call it off.

A South Wales Police spokesman said about 300 lorries were believed to be attending the demonstration.