Dozens of trucks set off from Castleford, West Yorkshire, and travelled about 10 miles along the M62 to Bradford at around 20mph.

One of the drivers, Rob Sweeting, said the plan was to turn round and drive back along the eastbound carriageway to where they had started but they decided to call an end to the protest about halfway back, once they had made their point.

West Yorkshire Police had warned truckers that officers would make sure there was free flowing traffic on the motorway but there were not thought to have been any arrests during the demonstration over the spiralling cost of fuel.

Mr Sweeting, who runs a haulage firm in Leeds, said: "I think, all-in-all, it was a success. I think there were about 200 taking part which shows the strength of feeling."

He said the drivers stuck to about 20mph.