FUEL TAX protestors have warned they will mobilise once more if prices on the forecourts are increased.

The threat of action came from North-East haulier and farmer Andrew Spence, as experts predicted that motorists could soon be paying as much as 80p for a litre of petrol.

Further fears of price increases have been raised by an oil strike in Venezuela and the possibility of war against Iraq.

Mr Spence, who was at the forefront of the People's Fuel Lobby that nearly crippled the country in September 2000, said: "We have already sent a letter to Mr Blair saying they will have bigger problems with fuel protestors than they will have with Saddam Hussein if they think they can get away with putting up fuel.

"We do not see a rise in prices in other European countries, where they already have cheap fuel."

In September 2000, blockades at fuel refineries and depots strangled supply routes and led to panic-buying.

Months later, a convoy to London descended into a farce amid bitter divisions in the fuel lobby ranks.

Mr Spence, from Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, said the People's Fuel Lobby was closely monitoring the situation.

He said: "When we started the first time, we were inexperienced, but now we are really well organised.

"I have a black book with telephone numbers and it will only take half an hour of phone calls and we can have a meeting arranged within 24 hours."

He said the protestors would not blockade during military action against Iraq.