PROTESTORS gathered at the Dartford Crossing calling for the toll charges to be scrapped.

A dozen campaigners unfurled a banner on the bridge above Tunnel Approach Road in a demonstration organised by the UK Independence Party (Ukip).

They are particularly angry that the charges are continuing after the crossing was finally paid for in 2003.

South East Ukip MEP Nigel Farage said: "There has been a breach of faith. The Government said that it would stop the tolls, then, instead, it simply renamed them road user charges."

The group also claims that the charges breach European Union rules as lorries are charged too much.

Mr Farage was joined by other Ukip members including MEPs, Gerard Batten and Tom Wise and Louisa Perry, the policy manager for the Freight Transport Association.

She said: "The tolls cause our members time and money because of the delays in queuing up."

The group stayed on the site, at the Littlebrook Interchange, for two hours. Some passing drivers blew their horns in support.

The Dartford Messenger newspaper is running a campaign to get a portion of the toll fees returned to the area to help combat the congestion and pollution caused by traffic build-up at the tunnel.

What do you think? E-mail dartfordmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk