THE fuel protesters who caused nationwide chaos four years ago are planning to bring a North-East city to a standstill next week.

The hauliers and farmers who brought the UK to a halt in 2000 with a series of blockades have vowed to create havoc once again, as prices at the pumps soar.

Campaign leader Andrew Spence, 37, a farmer from Leadgate, near Consett, said trucks will bring city centre traffic to a halt with a slow-moving convoy through Newcastle, next Wednesday.

It will be the first of a series of road protests planned across Britain, to highlight objections against rocketing fuel prices.

Mr Spence, who founded the People's Fuel Lobby, said: "There is a lot of support for the protest and I would urge members of the public to join us, whether they are driving a lorry, a car or a scooter.

"The response so far has been very positive."

The convoy will set off at 8.30am and will travel around the middle of Newcastle, past St James' Park and back over the Redheugh Bridge - already a traffic nightmare due to major roadworks. The protesters will complete the route twice.

Mr Spence, who last year vowed to emigrate to France over fuel costs, hopes to draw maximum attention to his cause before the Euro elections on June 10, after the Government rejected pressure to drop its proposed 2p rise on fuel duty.

"The rising prices are totally insensitive and unnecessary when you see taxation levels we have in this country," he said.

"We will be monitoring what the Government says and if they stop these increases we will move in the same direction.

"I hope people will put themselves on the line and say they support this protest."

Northumbria Police has adopted a wait and see approach to the planned protest and is hoping to talk to Mr Spence beforehand.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman has insisted the premier would not intervene to halt price rises at the pumps.

It is feared that oil prices could continue to rise due to the terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia that left 22 people dead.

On Tuesday, crude oil reached its highest price per barrel in the UK since 1990.