Scores of lorry drivers, motorists and motorcyclists supporting a group called "Fuel Protest 2008 North West UK and Wales", set up on social networking website Facebook, set off from Chester Services on the M56 at 9am.

They plan to travel in convoy down the A55 to the Welsh Assembly offices in Colwyn Bay.

Organisers Gwil Ritchie and Mark Waterworth, both of Rhyl, decided to set up the group because they felt that "something needs to be done now" to address rocketing petrol costs.

Nearly 9,000 Facebook users joined the online group to pledge their support, but Mr Ritchie and Mr Waterworth say they are working closely with police to make sure drivers who are not taking part are disrupted as little as possible.

This morning, a number of protesters gathered in the car park of the services signing a petition to be handed in at the Welsh Assembly Offices in Colwyn Bay.

Construction workers from MD Construction in Northop, who are involved in the protest, told the Leader: "Petrol is costing us a fortune.

"It costs us £2500 a month in fuel.

"It affects everything because we're not taking apprentices, we can't afford it.

"It's killing British industry."

Another protester at the scene was Val Ritchie, mother of co-organiser Gwil Ritchie, who said: "I use a lot of diesel."

When Mrs Ritchie, of Brynford, Holywell, was asked what she thought the protest would achieve, she said: "It might stop the government and they might get it into their heads to give the working man a chance."

She added: "I hope we get a good turnout today."

Her son Mr Ritchie said: "We have kept both North Wales and Cheshire Police informed of what we are planning to do every step of the way and we are working with them to make sure everything goes smoothly.

"Our protest will only ever be single file traffic, so emergency services and motorists making urgent journeys will be able to get through.

"We hope that what we are doing will make a difference, because something needs to be done urgently to address this situation."