TAXI drivers in Bolton tried to bring the town to a standstill when they formed a convoy to protest against petrol prices yesterday.

Fed-up Hackney cab drivers took to the town centre streets at a snail's pace to show their support of the blockades at the country's oil refineries.

They made their way through the town centre at rush hour - to co-incide with black cab protests throughout the country.

They say the price of fuel on top of record increases in insurance has forced some black cab drivers out of business in Bolton.

Today cab drivers continued to fill up where they could so they could keep working, but they face the prospect they might run out of fuel within days.

But despite the fact they might be forced off the road, they are still giving the protesters at the refineries their full backing.

Charles Oakes, secretary of the Bolton Taxi Association, said: "The situation is now out of our hands. We work when we can get the fuel to work, but many drivers are reporting problems being able to get fuel. We sympathise wholly though with those protesting at the refineries because we have similar problems."