'Scab' driver burned in his lorry as European protests against high fuel prices turn violent

Violence has flared across Europe as hauliers, fishermen and taxi drivers protest against rising fuel prices they say are crippling their industries. Some of the worst outbreaks were seen in Spain where prime minister José Luis Rodriguez pledged 'zero tolerance' of any disruption by 90,000 striking lorry drivers. His warning came after a driver breaking the strike was burned when his lorry was set on fire.

Fury: A lorry driver whose cab was set alight after he crossed a picket line in Alicante, Spain, lies on the floor with serious burns Fury: A lorry driver whose cab was set alight after he crossed a picket line in Alicante, Spain, lies on the floor with serious burns A British father and his son feared for their lives when a mob of Spanish truckers hurled rocks at their van. David Copestake, 40, and son Dylan, 12, were pelted as they drove on a dual carriageway. Mr Copestake, who has a chain of estate agencies in London, said: 'It was terrifying.

One rock smashed into the windscreen heading straight for my head.' Spain's road system was returning to normal after the interior ministry ordered police to get tough. The government has reached a deal with most of Spain's hauliers on relief from rising costs. In Portugal, lorry drivers agreed to lift road blocks after their union accepted a deal with their government.

But it followed the death of a man near Lisbon on a picket line. In France, hauliers mounted protest drives on motorways. set alight in violent protests Protests have now gone worldwide, with the Philippines and Thailand also seeing angry workers taking to the streets.

Spain appears to have been worst hit, with lorry drivers on either side of the dispute paying with their lives. Hundreds of lorries and minibuses blocked roads in Manila leading to Malacanang Palace yesterday to demand the lifting of a 12 per cent sales tax on fuel. Petrol prices there have risen about 24 per cent this year.