THE Bolton public has given its full support to the fuel refinery protesters and demanded that Prime Minister Tony Blair cuts tax on petrol to resolve the crisis.

In a BEN street survey there was unanimous backing for the protests by farmers and lorry drivers which have stopped fuel supplies reaching filling stations around the town.

And there was also a warning for Mr Blair -- cut fuel tax or risk the consequences at the next election.

Anthony O'Donnell said: "I fully support what the protesters are doing. I think the government now has no choice but to cut the tax.

Mr O'Donnell, aged 27, travels from Manchester to work in Bolton every day. He added: "Personally I think they should have done it last year before it came to this."

Pensioner Ken Warwick from Bradford Road said the government would face serious consequences if it did not back down now.

Mr Warwick, 78, said: "They are asking for trouble with this. They've got to make some cuts to help the public."

James Pauley, aged 35, from Tonge Fold does not drive, but fears that the fuel crisis will hit bus users hard if the fuel supplies are not restored soon.

He said: "I think the tax on petrol is way too high in this country compared to other places. The government has got to listen to what the ordinary people are saying."

David Buckley, aged 61, from Dunscar, filled up his tank before the pumps ran dry and will be able to drive for a few days. He fully supports the protesters and fears similar scenes to the Winter of Discontent in 1978 if the matter is not resolved now.

He said: "Now is the time for the government to listen to the people that they have ignored for long enough."

His wife Anne added: "People want the Prime Minister to do something now. If he doesn't people won't vote for him at the next election."

Farnworth woman Alison Bluer, aged 35, said she will be able to walk to work if her petrol runs out. And she is prepared to go through some inconvenience as long as the protesters secure cuts in fuel tax.

She said: "I think the government has no choice. They should cut the fuel tax now and help everybody."

Her sister Andrea Hobson, 30, from Kearsley, is due to give birth in about two weeks.

She said: "I want this all sorted out as quickly as possible. I'm keeping an eye on how much petrol my family and friends have got left so that someone can get me to hospital in a hurry!"