FARMERS and hauliers angry over rising fuel prices were planning to bring the southbound carriageway of the A1 to a standstill this afternoon.

Around 100 vehicles from the North East from the group Farmers for Action were planning to block the carriageway just south of Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the Friday afternoon rush hour.

They predicted that if their action were successful, it would cause major problems for traffic heading towards North Yorkshire.

Andrew Spence, regional co-ordinator for Farmers for Action, said he was expecting support from across the North East.

Mr Spence held a meeting for North and East Yorkshire farmers earlier this year about a possible blockade of York town centre but the idea was later dropped.

However he said he was now canvassing support amongst Yorkshire farmers for a demonstration similar to today's A1 move.

"We are in talks with Yorkshire farmers and are planning one sooner rather than later," he said.

Meanwhile British farmers and truckers today vowed to continue their French-style disruption over high fuel costs after hundreds turned out to blockade an oil refinery.

More than 250 farmers and lorry drivers congregated at the Shell Oil Refinery, in Stanlow, near Ellesmere Port, in Cheshire.

It came as the French government faced more calls to prevent further disruption across the Channel.