A Ledbury haulier who has twice driven a lorry to London to protest against fuel prices has supported the action of fellow truckers who blockaded the fuel depots this week.

Andy Boyle, owner of A.B.E. Ltd, said his 17-lorry fleet was "busy as hell in apple-picking time, supporting those customers who support me".

But he said that when his fuel runs out, in around 10 days, he "might as well sit on a picket" to get the Government to think again.

He said: "I'm fully in support of anyone who pickets lawfully."

With fellow members of the Road Hauliers' Association, Mr Boyle is no stranger to protest over fuel prices.

In the last three years, he has lobbied Parliament twice and has driven a lorry down to London on two occasions, to protest against fuel costs.

He said: "I've done my bit; but the Government acts like this latest action has come as a bolt of light out of the blue.

"MPs don't think we have a problem, that we're a bunch of whinging hauliers and we should tell our customers to pay more. It just doesn't work like that. Try saying that to a supermarket.

"The laughable remedies suggested by the Government are complete and utter nonsense."

Mr Boyle said that two years ago, the cost of a tanker load of fuel to keep his fleet on the road was £14,000. Now it is £22,000.

He said: "It's a gradual bleeding process. What is happening is that people are giving up. I look at the scenario myself. Why am I employing 23 people and battling away against a Government that doesn't want to listen?

"I could sell up my fleet of lorries and let out my premises. That could be a viable alternative."