Drivers are facing paying over £1 a litre for petrol for the first time as a double price hike looms.

Hurricanes affecting production in the Gulf of Mexico, a key refining region, and a planned increase in fuel tax by Westminster make up the two-pronged attack on motorists which has sparked warnings of an angry backlash.

Truck drivers' representatives said there are "already rumblings" about fuel protests such as the blockades seen across the country in recent years.

Oil prices surged to a new high yesterday as tropical storm clouds over the Mexican Gulf led to a cut in production. The cost of crude oil hit a high of $84 a barrel at one point before easing back to just over $81 a barrel.

But prices are set to hold near record levels as traders keep a watchful eye on the tropical storms off the west coast of Florida.

A sharp increase in demand as the weather turns colder could compound the rising pressure on oil prices.

Drivers are braced for a hike in petrol prices at the pumps with a proposed 2.35p increase in tax due to take effect next month.

The strength of the pound has been helping to keep average petrol prices below the £1 level, despite the soaring cost of oil, but the new duty and the record highs could start impacting on British drivers within the next few weeks.

With storms looking likely, oil industry workers have left five platforms in the Gulf, and three drilling rigs have also been evacuated.

Motoring organisations and the Road Hauliers Association raised concerns over the UK Government tax increase.

Phil Flanders, spokesman for the RHA in Scotland, said: "We are facing enough problems without the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico hitting us as well.

"We have asked the Chancellor to review the tax increase because of this volatility in the market. That's what Gordon Brown did when he was in charge (of the Treasury) because of the state of the market."

Mr Flanders said protests could follow if the UK Government fails to act.

"The rumblings have started. A lot of people are very unhappy. They are seeing businesses going down the pan. We are under pressure from all angles.

"The tax rises are to encourage people to use other modes of transport but we can't do that so something should be done to help the haulier. We could get a rebate the same as the buses.

"You have to bear in mind the cost of fuel in this country is roughly 25p a litre more than anywhere else in Europe."

Neil Greig, of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, formerly the AA Motoring Trust, said while he did not foresee immediate protests by motorists, Westminister could be hit by a political backlash down the line .

He said: "Crude oil prices have been rising. If that increase continues at the same time as the Chancellor introduces the tax rise he will be blamed for the extra cost at the forecourt."

Sheila Rainger, of the RAC, also said the UK Government could feel the effects if prices break the "all-important £1 per litre threshold".

She added: "We'd like to see the Chancellor defer this increase.

"At the time of the Budget, the cost of crude was around $60 per barrel - now it's around $80 and industry analysts predict that it will stay at this high level for quite some time.