ENGINEERING bosses breathed a sigh of relief when the fuel blockades ended. Mr John Brown, Chief Executive of Bolton-based EEF Lancashire, said today: "I hope that things get back to normal as quickly as possible."

Local Engineering Employers' Federation members experienced a wide range of problems -- many caused by the modern Just In Time system which normally ensures efficient supplies and dispatches without costly stock-holding.

Mr Brown said that if the action had continued some members would have been forced to consider laying workers off.

He said the industry was very bothered about its competitive position and organisations such as the EEF had been raising the fuel price issue with the government for some time.

But the unofficial action had created difficulties for members.

He added: "There is some sympathy with the argument but less with the way they have gone about putting it across."

EEF Lancashire has 300 member firms employing about 20,000 people.

An e-survey of members of the Forum of Private Business found that 72 per cent of those questioned supported the fuel protesters' direct action.

But 65 per cent said it would have had a serious impact on their business if it had continued for another week.