FUEL tax rebel Brynle Williams has warned that protests may break out in the UK again as petrol prices look set to continue rising in the light of high oil prices.

Farmer Mr Williams, the man who shot to prominence during the 2000 fuel protests which brought Stanlow oil refinery at Ellesmere Port to a standstill, said history could repeat itself if the government doesn't step in.

Now a Conservative politician, he says he will be unable to front public demonstrations like those at Stanlow oil refinery, which prompted widespread shortages in filling stations.

He said: "I'm obviously not going anywhere near anything like that in my new position.

"I am currently lobbying the Government with a petition to reduce tax on oil. The increase this week is making matters worse and I think there will be protests as the British public won't stand for it - we are already over the level that sparked the protests in 2000."

Petrol stations across Merseyside are expecting to increase prices by 1p a litre in the next three to five days as their old reserves run out following a weekend of unrest in Saudi Arabia. This price hike has renewed concerns over the rise in the cost of fuel to the brink of £4-a-gallon, with some petrol stations in Merseyside already charging 89.9p a litre.

One of the cheapest available outlets in Liverpool is Sainsbury's, on East Prescot Road, which was still selling fuel at 79.9p a litre last night.

At the Shell Gayton services station, in Wirral, staff reported a busier than normal shift last night as motorists stocked up. Their fuel price is 82.9p a litre, or £3.74 a gallon.

A spokeswoman said: "It's been decidedly more busy than usual, with people buying for two cars. I've got a queue down the shop at the moment.

"It's a bit silly because there is no necessity for it at all. The fuel supply is there at the moment, but if people start acting like this it won't be there for much longer."

Mr Williams says the potential price increase of up to 90p a litre is ridiculous and coupled with Chancellor Gordon Brown's proposed tax rise of 2-2.5p a litre it could bring Britain to a halt again.

For every pound spent on fuel, about 78p is given to the Chancellor in tax. In September, gas oil, which is used in central heating, will increase by 57%.

Mr Williams, who is a member of the Welsh Assembly, added: "The price increase on oil will have a knock-on effect not just on petrol but on everyday life. Cars may be a luxury for city dwellers but for people who live in the country they need them to live their everyday life.

"It's not just motoring that will be affected, but central heating oil and electricity as well as cosmetics.

"I wrote to the Chancellor three weeks ago expressing my concern and requesting a sit-down meeting with him to discuss the matter, but have yet to receive a response. He must demonstrate his prowess and lower tax increases on oil.

"The question I want answering is why Britain's fuel is 30% more expensive than the rest of Europe - and why should we pay for the government's excursion into Iraq?

"Mr Brown would be very foolish to go ahead with the proposed tax increase in September as I don't think people are prepared to live in rip-off Britain any more."

AA North West regional spokeswoman Claire Price said last night: "Although the volatile situation in the Middle East has not been helpful, the main blame lies with the govern- ment and its outrageous levels of fuel taxation.

"In an average 80p litre, the retailer only makes something like 2p, while Gordon Brown takes 60p. To increase fuel duty again by 2p a litre, as the government is threatening to do in September, is adding insult to injury."

Take action plea

HAULAGE giant Eddie Stobart yesterday said the Government needs to step in and resolve the looming crisis of rising petrol prices before it gets out of control.

The company, which has a major base in Haydock, said the potential price increase of up to 90p a litre is ridiculous and could be very bad for business.

Andrew Tickler, managing director of Eddie Stobart owners, WA development International, said: "When we have to increase our costs because of fuel rises, this reflects on what we charge our customers and this is not good for business. Smaller businesses will be even more affected by this.

"We hope the Government can step in before the situation gets out of control."