One of the leaders of the fuel protests is to stand as a Conservative candidate in the next Welsh assembly elections.

Brynle Williams, who played a key role in organising the oil refinery blockades of 2000, is to stand in the Clwyd West constituency in the May 2003 elections.

The north Wales sheep and cattle farmer came to prominence when he led protestors blocking the Stanlow oil refinery in Cheshire.

At the time of the crisis he was rated the 254th most influential figure in Britain in the Observer newspaper's "power list".

The leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly, Nick Bourne, welcomed Williams' selection.

"Brynle is massively popular throughout North Wales and the Welsh Conservative Party is going to work to turn this major benefit into votes," he said.

"The Welsh Conservative Party is looking forward to winning the Clwyd West seat next year, and we are confident that this will be done on a very substantial basis."

Labour currently holds the constituency with a majority of 760.