A fresh round of protests over fuel tax is beginning in Britain, with lorry drivers in the north of England embarking on a five-day convoy.

The protesters are heading south towards London, where they plan a demonstration next week to show their anger at the high level of duty on petrol and diesel.

They're going ahead despite a series of measures announced by the government this week aimed at placating motorists.

It's not clear whether the public will support the protests, as they did in September when blockades and convoys caused fuel shortages and disruption across Britain.

As the convoy gathered, the protesters were outnumbered by police, journalists and environmentalists, who oppose cuts in fuel tax. Police have warned the protesters that they face arrest if they disrupt the flow of traffic.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service