YORK faces gridlock when farmers, hauliers and other demonstrators take to the streets to protest against the crisis in agriculture.

The man responsible for organising the march on Saturday, May 6, hopes thousands of people and dozens of lorries, tractors and other vehicles will take part.

Andrew Spence is the North-East regional director of Farmers For Action (FFA), which was set up only about six weeks ago but already claims 10,000 members.

He is also a leading figure in the Hauliers and Farmers Alliance (HFA).

These groups want next month's march in York to have the same sort of impact as an HFA demonstration in Newcastle earlier this year, which attracted farmers from a wide area, including North Yorkshire.

Mr Spence said: "Our convoy was 7 miles long and we completely encircled Newcastle city centre. We're aiming to do a similar thing in York city centre and we want to set up a committee to organise it."

Farmers from York, North Yorkshire and the East Riding have been invited to attend a meeting at York Livestock Centre, Murton, at 7pm on Thursday to set the ball rolling.

Looking ahead to next month's march, Mr Spence said: "We have yet to open negotiations with North Yorkshire Police, but everything will be done with their support. We will organise a route with them."

On June 19, lorries and farm vehicles will set off from Scotland bound for London on another HFA demonstration. The convoy will visit major cities such as York and Leeds en route.