THERE has been a low-key start to three days of fuel price protests, with small numbers of demonstrators at refineries.

Organisers said the campaign was meant to be symbolic and that the government was already on the "back foot".

There was no repeat of Tuesday's panic buying of petrol among motorists and suppliers said those garages which had sold out were being replenished.

Activists want fuel duty to be cut after a series of price rises, but say they will not blockade refineries.

A protest expected outside Stanlow oil refinery in Cheshire on Wednesday morning failed to materialise.

National fuel protests five years ago were sparked by a blockade at the site but no protestors were seen there so far.

Fuel supplies appeared to be moving freely, with a number of tankers having left the refinery.

There were also no reported protests at the fuel distribution centre in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester said BBC Manchester.