Panic-buying has broken out on petrol station forecourts amid fears of blockades in protest against spiralling prices.

Queuing up - drivers at Sainsbury's Tollgate filling station. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (45026-7)

Motorists were today queuing up to fill their tanks as fears of a fuel shortage loomed. Chancellor Gordon Brown is today expected to call for co-ordinated international action to stabilise the world oil market.

The Texaco filling station, in Shrub End Road, Colchester, reported a 60 per cent leap in sales. Manager Ray Finch said: "People are filling up their tanks, jerry cans - you name it.

"You know what this country is like. Any hint of a strike and they will panic-buy, but it's not the Government's fault this time."

Mr Finch added: "It's ridiculous. There's no danger of garages running out of petrol so long as they have ordered it. There's still plenty of petrol about."

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Published Tuesday, September 13, 2005

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