DRIVERS of gas-guzzling 4x4s were dismayed at Gordon Brown's increases in their annual vehicle excise duty yesterday. Duty on the most-polluting vehicles rises £30 to £300 this year, with another hike to £400 in 2008.

Kevin Ryle, pictured above, aged 69, of Tonge Moor, said: "It's out of order. I'm all for helping the environment but I don't think it will make a big difference."

Lisa Cavanaugh, aged 39, of Heaton, said: "We're being penalised for working hard and saving up money to buy a nice car. There should be freedom of choice. I understand about carbon emissions but we go camping and tow a trailer so we need a big car."

Abdul Jabar, aged, 44, said: "I've got five kids so I need the space. You can't get five children in a little car."