by Joe Cladingboel

Kent truckers warned today the rocketing price of fuel could drive them down the road to ruin.

According to the Tunbridge Wells-based Freight Transport Association, rising prices at the county's pumps are crippling its members.

The body representing haulage firms said freight operators need lots of fuel and - with prices topping £1.20p a litre - they're struggling to stay in business.

A spokesman for WSG Transport, a Rochester firm badly hit by the rises, said: "The price of fuel is, in a word, crippling.

"It's getting to the stage where we're having to ask customers for a fuel surcharge.

"I don't see the prices going down any time soon, so this is expected to be a long-term problem for the business."

Jo Tanner, director of communications for the FTA, said all Kent's haulage firms are feeling the pressure.

She added: "In a sense we’ve got a ‘perfect storm’ at the moment which is why we’re seeing prices at over £1.20 a litre.

"This has a knock-on effect for everyone’s budget, but when you’re a haulage company you have to fill your vehicles up.

"It’s a real problem, we still need to move goods from point A to point B, we still have customers to service."

But the association assured its members won't get involved in direct action to protest against the rising fuel costs.

Ms Tanner said: "We do not countenance direct action.

"Taking to the streets is a pointless exercise, we would much rather discuss the concerns and get to a workable solution."

Can you top the highest price we've found in Kent? Click here to find out how much it is.