'Dump the pump' day ignored

Petrol sales in the North West were down by a half, but motorists across the Fylde took little notice and still tanked up with local service stations reporting only a slight dip on August 1

in figures for a normal Tuesday.

The protest was organised by businessman Garry Russell via the internet in order to force Chancellor Gordon Brown to bring down the price of fuel from around 84p a litre.

The result of the boycott in the Fylde was not a particularly good one for smaller family-run businesses, who were reported to be struggling. But it had almost no effect on the big businesses, such as Shell, Esso and major supermarkets like Tesco. The boycott is due to continue every Monday until prices are brought down but local petrol stations thought nothing would come of it unless more people took action.

Veronica Askew, who works at Ansdell filling station, said: "Sales were not down as much as expected and if the boycott is to have any effect more people need to get involved."

Maureen Buckley from the Shell garage at Singleton Crossroads, added: "Takings are down by £2,500 but this is unlikely to bring prices down."

A member of staff from the filling station at Tesco, Clifton Road, commented: "There has not been very much change and the boycott is unlikely to get a result. Even drivers themselves have said that it is unlikely to work."

Chancellor Gordon Brown is due to go on his summer holiday to America next week and the British public have strongly advised him to take a look at American petrol prices in the hope that things will soon change.

Among those supporting the Dump the Pump campaign in Blackpool are workers from Marketindex pictured, Preston New Road, whose staff came to work on bikes to avoid crippling fuel charges. Pictured from left are Louise Herring, Nick Jelley, Karen Donnington, Andrew Simpson, Anne Widdall and Sinead Glynn.