I HAVE only recently started driving again after a 12 month break because of the high cost of keeping a car on the road, but I am fully behind the fuel price protesters.

Chancellor Gordon Brown only appeared to get on his bike once -- he has no experience of juggling jobs, relationships and children because he has all the hired help money can buy. He has the resources of new technology to contact people without getting behind the wheel of a car.

To ordinary people, a car is essential for time management, transporting the sick and the elderly, transporting children and babies to nursery, school and after school activities, work and shopping.

Usually, one person in the household has to work to pay for the upkeep and running of the car.

We should be encouraged to try other forms of transport with reliability, accessibility and low costs. The majority are suffering a huge burden financially when it is the petrol-guzzling elite who have other options and resources available to them.

This protest has been a long time coming. Ignore it at your peril Labour. We won't be bullied either, Tony Blair.

DIANE KERSHAW (Mrs), Parklands Way, Blackburn.