Truck drivers were today threatening to blockade fuel depots in Sussex in an attempt to dry up local petrol supplies.
Hauliers predict truckers will target two fuel depots at Shoreham as they increase the squeeze on the nation's pumps.
Farmers and hauliers are blockading terminals and fuel depots to force the Government to cut petrol and diesel taxes which are the highest in Europe.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would not cave in to pressure over soaring fuel prices after Britain was gripped by protests and panic buying.
More than 200 filling stations in North-West were closed or ran dry after frustrated motorists embarked on a massive panic buying spree.
It comes amid warnings from the national secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union that the country will run out of fuel this week unless the dispute is resolved.
The actions have put the squeeze on East and West Sussex Fire Authorities which have decided not to attend non-emergency calls until the crisis is over.
Chris Wright, the director of the Road Hauliers Association for the South, said: "It is a measure of frustration in an industry where people are losing their jobs and firms are going out of business because of high taxes, although I should stress the association is not organising these actions."
Filling stations around Sussex dried-up yesterday as drivers fought to fill their tanks.
Supplies of unleaded fuel at all three Asda filling stations had dried-up last night and supplies at other stations were dwindling fast.
A Texaco depot in Shoreham is expected to become a key target for the hauliers as it is now one of the largest facilities in the South which is still in operation.
A Corralls fuel depot at Shoreham could also become a target, said Mr Wright.
In addition to the Shoreham depots, Sussex filling stations are supplied by other facilities which have also been targeted by the protesters.
Des Turner, Labour MP for Brighton Kemp Town, said: "All the fuel price rises since the spring have been due to the price rises in crude oil.
"It is difficult to reduce the level of taxation because if you do it then either public services would have to be cut or income tax increased."
Tim Loughton, Tory MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: "While I cannot condone the direct action which has been taken by some farmers and lorry drivers, I understand the frustration they feel being faced with a Government which refuses to listen to their problems.
Mr Blair said last night: "The sensible way, the only right way to deal with this problem, is to put pressure on Opec, it's not to get them off the hook by caving in to pressure.
"Though it's correct to say in the first two years of the Government we did raise the fuel duty, it was necessary to sort out the economy."
A spokesman for Sussex Enterprise, which supports business in the county, said: "There are businesses out there which make a 100 deliveries a day, which have said they will be out of petrol by tomorrow if this continues."
A Sussex Police spokesman said: "We are monitoring the situation and are liaising with other agencies.
"When necessary we will put into place measures to ensure road safety and keep Sussex moving."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article