LONDON Protesters arrived at fuel depots in England and Wales on Saturday in a move to bring fuel price cuts to the top of the political agenda ahead of next Thursday's general election, DPA said.

Groups of between 40 and 100 protesters tried to persuade fuel tanker drivers to leave their depots only to deliver fuel for emergency services. There was no violence.

Police have advised the public to remain calm, as news of the demonstrations caused incidences of panic buying and garages began setting petrol limits.

"We want to give the government a reminder that we are unhappy and that they can't forget about us. We want fuel prices back on the political agenda," said one protester.

Britain has some of the highest fuel prices in Europe.

Protesters gathered at the Welsh oil refineries of Pembroke dock and Milford haven, as well as at Avonmouth in Bristol, Stanlow in Cheshire, Manchester, Kent, Essex and Birmingham.

"They are demonstrating peacefully and there are no blockades, the tankers are still getting in and out," a police spokesman said.

Many of the demonstrators took part in fuel protests last September which brought Britain to virtual standstill.

The government declined to cut fuel prices then, offering instead financial support to hard-hit groups like farmers.