The organisers of a fuel tax protest due to set off from the North East on Friday said tonight that their action was still "definitely on"despite Gordon Brown's measures to reduce fuel prices.

Farmer Andrew Spence, a People's Fuel Lobby committee member, also claimed Northumbria Police were seeking an injunction against the protesters regarding the planned convoy - but would not elaborate.

He said: "We have heard that the police (Northumbria Police) are trying to get an injunction taken out against us."I cannot say any more than that other than to say we are dealing with the matter."

After listening to Gordon Brown's pre-Budget statement, he said there had been no concessions which would head off Friday's protest, dubbed by commentators as a modern day Jarrow Crusade.

"There was nothing in the statement which will help farmers and hauliers now. The protest will go ahead as planned.

"We had been holding out for a sensible reduction in fuel duty, and 26.2p a litre was only ever an opening figure but we have got nothing like that."

He said the convoy of vehicles would set off from Birtley Service station on the outskirts of Gateshead at 9am on Friday. He expected around 30 or 40 vehicles would start the four-day journey, arriving in London next Monday.

Meanwhile, a Northumbria Police spokesman refused to comment on whether the force was seeking an injunction, saying only: "We are working with the organisers to ensure the safety of road users and others while respecting the organisers' right to peaceful protest which must be within the law.