Kent lorry drivers have set off on a mass fuel protest.

Around 80 truckers were today taking a letter straight to Gordon Brown in a protest against continuing increases in fuel prices.

They left the Farthing Corner service station on the M2 at Gillingham at around 7.30am.

They hoped to be joined in the capital by at least another 1,000 hauliers from across the country.

The protestors want a rebate introduced which would allow HGV drivers to claim some fuel duty back. They also argue UK tax levels make them uncompetitive when compared to continental Europe.

Kent driver Peter Knight is helping to organise the event. He said: "This week we have seen a five pence increase in a litre of fuel. It’s something we’re not going accept any more. It’s driving hauliers out of business."

Mr Knight referred to a previous convoy last month as "just a token protest".

He added: "We went up to London and delivered a letter to our local MP and that letter got lost. That's unacceptable. So this time we're going to Number 10 to give this letter to Mr Brown himself."

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Hear more from Peter Knight, as well as reaction from the Freight Transport Association and Truckers World, by clicking on the audio link at the top of this page.********************************************************************************