THE Chancellor made an appearance in the region at the weekend as anger over the price of fuel continued.

But the real Gordon Brown had not been persuaded to come north, for Redcar and Cleveland Conservatives took a life-size cardboard cut-out of him to Guisborough as they collected signatures against high petrol taxes.

The Conservatives set up a stall in the market place and encouraged shoppers to sign their petition.

Councillor Barbara Harpham said: "Our petition gave people a way of protesting against being ripped off by the Government. We were trying in our own way to make sure Tony Blair takes notice of the majority, who are angry and against paying so much for what is to some a necessity, especially in country areas.