Harwich MP Ivan Henderson today pleaded with hauliers not to disrupt Easter traffic in protest over increased fuel prices and vehicle excise duty.

John Tye, of Little Oakley, and Gordon Stacey, of Clacton, are hoping to head a slow convoy of lorries from Harwich along the A120, A12, round the M25 and back on Easter Saturday.

They claim their livelihoods and those of other hauliers are on the line because of the increases in the Chancellor's Budget.

Transport minister John Reid has set up a forum for concerned lorry drivers and Mr Henderson met him yesterday to tell him of the worries of hauliers and the planned disruption on Easter Saturday.

Mr Henderson said: "The minister advised me the Road Hauliers Association was happy with the forum the Government has set up and urged local hauliers to use this to pursue their grievances.

"I share this view and plead with the lorry drivers not to disrupt people's bank holiday when a forum is available for them."

But Mr Tye, who has been an owner-driver for 17 years, today said the protest will go ahead. He added: "We have got to do something.

"I have just had a woman on the phone from Northumberland in tears because their business is on the slide and she is coming down for the protest."

Mr Tye and Mr Stacey are having campaign posters printed and anyone who wants to join their planned convoy can contact Mr Tye on 07971 645725 or Mr Stacey on 0585 225045.

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