London  - Hundreds of British hauliers drove their lorries into central London Wednesday to protest against high petrol prices and demand a tax rebate on diesel fuel.

The protest, the second in four weeks, coincided with a debate in parliament on a planned controversial increase in vehicle excise duty.

Hauliers from across Britain demanded a tax rebate for diesel fuel, which now costs 1.32 pounds (2.64 dollars) per litre, leaving them with a weekly fuel bill of 1,000 pounds for an average lorry.

Some 200 lorries, led by police motorcyclists, made their way into the heart of the city, causing major traffic disruption. (dpa)