The government is holding emergency talks to plan contingency measures in case of new fuel protests.

Ministers are braced for a repeat of the disruption that marked the first fuel crisis in 2000.

The Times says that emergency powers will be used to detain protesters and the armed forces will be sent in to maintain supplies.

Experts are predicting a litre of petrol could hit 88 pence following soaring oil prices. A barrel of crude now costs $41.