by Martin Jeffries

A campaign started by the boss of a Kent haulage company to put the brakes on rising fuel prices is gathering momentum today.

Peter Carroll, left, is taking his Fair Fuel UK campaign to Downing Street, where he will hand in a petition calling for the government to scrap plans for a fuel duty increase.

More than 120,000 people have signed the online petition in just four weeks.

Mr Carroll told Sky News: "This is a clear sign that the country is really suffering with the price of fuel and the government must change direction.

"Everybody in business, everybody who drives and in fact everybody in the whole economy is being affected.

"This is a national issue and a national crisis."

The average cost of petrol is now £1.30, compared to £1.13 this time last year.

Mr Carroll said some hauliers are now spending £1,200 a week on diesel.

Today's presentation comes at a crucial time, with the Chancellor expected to decide within weeks whether to impose a fuel duty rise.

Campaigners claim that any increase could put an extra 5p a litre on the cost of fuel.