SANITY seemed to be returning to south Essex fuel forecourts as a "handful" of protesters admitted they had a "disppointing" day.

Between 15 and 20 hauliers were out yesterday to protest at the rising price of petrol at Vopak fuel depot in Purfleet.

Peter Knight, of Les Knight Hauliers in Kent, said: "It was a bit disappointing. I haven't got a clue why people didn't come along to the protest. Every company in the country must be having problems with this.

"We're tired, disappointed, but we'll not give up the fight."