Radio programme to expose border fuel fraud

A BBC radio programme is tonight set to expose a multi-million pound fuel scam in Britain which is believed to have originated along the border with the North.

Millions of litres of lubrication oil was sold as diesel at low prices to petrol stations in England, with those behind the fraud avoiding paying duty of up to stg£100m.

The programme quotes the owner of a small chain of service stations, Paul Sykes, who said he was offered fuel at "unfeasibly low prices" by a man with an Irish accent.

"He said he had six tanker loads a day coming into the UK and could have fuel up to me within hours if we wanted it," he said.

The operation is believed to have begun in the border area, where up to 250,000 litres a week had their dye and markers removed.

Gardai have made several seizures of such plants in the region over the past 12 months.