FARMERS from North and East Yorkshire are to go ahead with a mass demonstration in York city centre next month - despite NFU fears that the public could be alienated.

Around 50 farmers, who attended a lively meeting last night at York Livestock Centre in Murton, agreed to take the action on May 6, although it has not yet been decided whether it will be a vehicle blockade or a march on foot.

National Farmers' Union officials spoke of their concerns that public support for farmers could be lost.

But farmers criticised the union, one claiming that all it had achieved was coffee and biscuits in Downing Street.

The farmers gathered to air their views at the invitation of Andrew Spence, a farmer from the North East, who is regional director of Farmers for Action (FFA) and is active in the Hauliers and Farmers Alliance (HFA). He was joined by Michael Dodds and Lenny Johnson from the HFA.

Mr Spence told the meeting he hoped a blockade involving dozens of lorries and tractors could be organised, similar to one which brought Newcastle to a halt earlier this year.

He said it would show the general public the strength of feeling among farmers and hauliers hit by high fuel duties and the crisis in agriculture.

Pocklington dairy farmer John Waring called on the NFU officials in the room to be "gentlemanly" and not to "rip these people apart" and was applauded loudly.

Hovingham farmer, Ken Harrison, said: "I have been a member of the NFU for 50 years. I wish the NFU would back off - all they have achieved are coffee and biscuits at 10 Downing Street."

Derek Watson, North Yorkshire county NFU vice-chairman, said: "One thing we've done is to get public support. All we're asking for is that you guarantee it is going to be peaceful and you're not going to alienate the public."

Pig farmer John Rowbottom, from Melbourne, near Pocklington, said: "Ben Gill, the chairman of the NFU, has totally underestimated the mood of agriculture in this country and is far too friendly with 10 Downing Street."

"The politicians listen and do absolutely nothing," he said.

"These guys have got off their backsides and come down here and we should support them one way or another."