More than 100 protestors, mainly driving instructors, went through Washington on the A1231, on to the A19 and then the A690 to Durham.

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While most ended their protest at Carrville, a core of 15 continued to London, to present a petition at 10 Downing Street.

The event has been organised by Bert Moncur, chairman of Sunderland Association of Driving Instructors.

He said: "There's a lot of support for what we are doing and the Gord Help Us campaign is going really well.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support we have had.

"The reason I set the protest up is because, along with myself and other people, businesses throughout the country are suffering because of the fuel prices.

"To this end I decided to do something. I had seen the truckers take action and any action taken by ourselves – i.e. the general public – would help."

Although more petitions were being given to the Government today, the online petitions being gathered on Downing Street's website and look4lessons.com do not close until next Friday, July 18.

Driving instructors, who joined the convoy, said action needed to be taken.

Mohammed Meah from MSN driving school Millfield, said: "The fuel expenses are getting stupid they are just too high. At the moment I am spending almost double on fuel from what I was a year and half ago. If it keeps going I am going to have to look for another job."

Peter Stainsby, of Drive Sunderland, said: "We want the PM to get off the fence he needs to get behind small businesses you need to look at our customer base, a lot of them are young people with very little money."

Barry Kenyon Pegasus Driving School in Seaham, "Am hear to support Bert its not just for us but anyone who has a small business. Am losing £5 a day that's £35 a week in fuel, that's just in the last few days. We are trying to keep costs down but were being left with little choice. The government is screwing all the motorists. I think they are just trying to get more cars of the road. Its more than just fuel costs."

Trevor Howe, of Drive Time in Newbottle, said: "Its the Jarrow march on wheels."

Janet Cooney, Silksworth Driving School, added: "I want to see the government take the VAT off fuel for all commercial users. We are going to end up losing our businesses."

Today's demonstration followed on from a protest through Sunderland city centre last month, where 40 driving instructors and taxi drivers took part in a go-slow convoy from Roker to the gates of the port at Hendon.