Protests over fuel prices got under way outside oil refineries today.

A series of ''peaceful protests'' over the level of duty has been taking place.

Andrew Spence, the farmer and haulier who was a prime mover in the 2000 protests with the People's Fuel Lobby, arrived outside the Shell refinery in Jarrow, south Tyneside at 6am.

As dawn broke around a dozen protesters stood beside Mr Spence, who said he was pleased with the turnout so far.

Demonstrations however have been largely low-key, with small numbers of demonstrators at refineries.

Organisers said the campaign was meant to be symbolic and that it had put the government on the "back foot".

There has been no repeat of Tuesday's panic-buying of petrol among motorists, and suppliers said those garages which had sold out were being replenished.

Organisers have pledged that there will be no attempt to blockade supplies and extend the queues of anxious drivers, and fuel tankers were moving in and out of the Jarrow refinery without any attempts at interference.

But Mr Spence he was annoyed that coach operators who have joined the protest were told by the police to move three 50-seater vehicles on.

The farmer threatened to send for bigger vehicles, which he said the police would find harder to send away.

He said: ''We have achieved a lot in the last four or five days, the government is on the back foot yet again, and that is without even coming to the refineries.''

Asked if he planned to get arrested today, Mr Spence joked: ''I have got some big boys who will stop me from getting arrested.''

The group of fellow protesters, also from the Consett area of County Durham, included farmers, a roofing contractor and even a blacksmith.

Other demonstrations are expected to take place at refineries in Coryton, Essex, and Kingsbury in Birmingham this morning.

However, only police officers were visible outside the plants.

Motorists, many recalling the crippling shortages caused by protests in 2000, continued to panic buy at the pumps yesterday despite being urged to stay calm.

The UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA), which represents firms such as Shell, BP, Esso and Total, said a it had seen a week's worth of demand in one day, but insisted there was no need to panic.

UKPIA director-general Chris Hunt said the number of tankers delivering fuel to the forecourts had been increased by 10%-15% and there was ''absolutely no problem'' with fuel supply.

He added that he was ''not unduly worried'' by threats of possible blockages, and had been liaising with police and the Department for Trade and Industry to limit the effects of any demonstrations.

Yesterday Chancellor Gordon Brown called for urgent measures and ''concerted action'' to tackle soaring oil prices, but did not offer to cut duty as demanded by the fuel lobby.

He urged Opec countries to boost production, and called for more transparency about the world's reserves.

Some key figures from the protests five years ago have said they would not take part this time.

David Handley, founder of Farmers For Action (FFA), explained that he did not believe demonstrations would make any difference in changing Government policy, although he backed Mr Spence.

Mr Handley, who played a key role in the blockades of Avonmouth docks in 2000, said the FFA would only be willing to take part in protests which were co-ordinated with the police.

Steve Murray, a haulier from Carlisle who joined the 2000 protests, said he was not planning similar action this week because a repeat of five years ago would be ''counterproductive'' and bad for his business.