GWENT fuel protester David Handley, pictured, has warned that Britain could see more petrol protests as anger builds up over increases in oil prices.

The Monmouth dairy farmer, who was a leader of the September 2000 petrol protests which brought Britain to a virtual standstill, is extremely concerned about what he claims is the "exploitation" of a jittery international relations situation.

Fuel protesters said yesterday they may take to the streets again if petrol prices continue to rise, following threats by Iraq and Iran to restrict oil supply and the current crisis in the Middle East, in Israel and Afghanistan, pushing up prices.

As forecourt prices have increased by 4p a litre since January, Mr Handley, chairman of the Farmers for Action and People's Fuel Lobby, has said that another hike in fuel prices would kill the rural area.

He said: "We can't take another hammering after foot-and-mouth. Contingency plans are in place, should we need them, and can be put into action within hours."

Prices are expected to rise following calls to oil-producing Arab countries from Iraq and Iran to restrict oil supply over America's threat to attack Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime.

OPEC, the oil producers' organisation, appears to back Mr Handley's view, saying that there is no reason for the price increase.

The secretary-general of OPEC, Ali Rodriguez, said prices were "jumping" because of political uncertainty and not owing to short supply.

"This is absolutely out of our control," he said.

But Mr Handley said: "I would hope that the British motorists would back us 100 per cent, this must show our critics that we are not idiots, as we have got OPEC agreeing with what we are saying."

When asked if there is a crisis and if it is related to the situation in the Middle East, he said: "There is no crisis as yet that I am aware of, other than the sad things which are going on in Israel and Palestine.

"This is just a situation we are seeing - the situation is being exploited for profit. If that continues you can bet your bottom dollar something will happen."

A spokesman from the Petrol Retailers Association said: "The uncertainty in the Middle East is filtering its way into the stock exchange, where oil is bought and sold, pushing oil prices back up.

"It is a disturbing issue for customers just weeks away from the budget.

"There are rumours that Chancellor Gordon Brown may refuse a blanket freeze on fuel duty. If this is the case and VAT increases, fuel cost will almost certainly rise."