Facebook petrol prices protest gets 115,000 members

Almost 115,000 people have signed up to a group on the social networking site Facebook calling for a boycott of petrol stations on April Fool's Day.

The group was created six days ago by Shropshire personal trainer, Jason Green, who originally invited just 200 friends to join his quest.

But the campaign has now gone national, spreading like wildfire across the social network with 114,736 people confirming they will take part in the boycott on April 1 with another 800,000 yet to reply to the invitation.

Mr Green, 21, who lives in Yockleton near Shrewsbury, said he decided to start the group after becoming fed up spending all his spare cash on petrol.

He said: "This only started off as a small thing but it could be huge.

"I just feel like I'm only working to fill up my car.

"Travelling to work and driving to see my girlfriend is costing me an absolute bomb and its the same for everyone in Shropshire.

"Nothing will get done if we simply do nothing. This is a chance to tell greedy fuel companies and the Government we have had enough."

Mr Green said: "I originally only sent out 200 invitations but then friends invited their friends and the whole thing has spiralled.

"Quite a few people have written on the wall saying there is no point.

"But I think we should do something about the situation because if we don't the prices will continue to go up.

"The boycott is gathering momentum with every second. Hopefully enough people will sign up to make a real difference."

The Facebook group has just over 65,000 people who confirmed they will not be boycotting the pumps with more than 17,000 saying they may take part.

Average petrol prices across the country hit 132p a litre on Wednesday, meaning for the first time the cost of a gallon reached £6.

Fuel companies blame the rising cost of crude oil for the escalation in prices and warn the Libyan conflict could force further rises.

By Peter Finch