Panic petrol-buying has led to garages in mid-Essex being left high and dry.

Sold out - a sign outside the BP petrol station in Cressing Road, Witham. Left, police speak to lorry drivers. Picture: NICK OBANK (45012-1)

Mass purchasing at the pumps throughout yesterday led to the BP in Braintree Road, Witham, selling out of unleaded fuel by mid-afternoon.

BP spokesman Sheila William said they were not commenting on individual stations but added: "Deliveries are being done to sites on a daily basis, sometimes twice a day as normal."

The story was the same for Sainsbury's in Braintree, where queues had stretched into Coggeshall Road.

A spokesman said: "Our forecourts are very busy. In terms of supply, customers are able to fill up their cars.

"Queues have been managed by staff as we have expected them to be quite busy."

Some filling stations started rationing petrol in the Maldon district in a bid to prevent pumps running dry.

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Published Wednesday, September 14, 2005

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