Hauliers from all over Kent have had their concerns about unfair competition from Europe and the rising price of fuel heard by top Tory Philip Hammond.

Peter Knight, of Les Knight Transport at Oare, was among those who met the Conservative shadow chief secretary to the treasury.

Mr Hammond was given a tour of Coombe Valley Transport’s Dover depot and had a meeting with leading members of the local haulage industry.

Truckers have voiced concerns about lorry tax discs, high safety standards and fuel duties that they say affect their businesses but not so much those from Europe.

They also said they are being crippled financially by the rising price of fuel.

Mr Knight said: “We were told at the meeting there would be changes in two years if the Conservatives get into power but we do not have two years.

“We have not got time to talk now and I doubt if it will be long before hauliers in the UK do something very drastic.

“Guys are losing their houses and their businesses and are very upset.”

His colleage Sharon Knight said: “One penny per litre increase represents an extra cost of £10,000 a year for our family business of just 23 trucks.

“In the month between our two demonstrations in London the fuel price went up by 12p which is £120,000 extra cost in fuel.”

Mr Hammond said the difference in fuel prices was giving foreign lorry hauliers an unfair competitive advantage and effectively pricing British haulage firms off the road.

“Something has to be done or we will not have a UK haulage industry," he said.

“We are very much aware that the industry needs a response soon.

“They need us to help them put pressure on the Government because after all these guys need a solution now not when a Conservative government comes into office in perhaps 18 months time.”

Mr Hammond was invited down by Dover and Deal Conservative parliamentary candidate Charlie Elphicke.