STRATFORD'S petrol forecourts ground to a halt again on Tuesday after a false warning of fresh blockades sparked a stampede by motorists.

Just as life started returning to normal fresh fears were sparked by remarks on a South Wales independent radio station, reporting rumours that the blockades were starting outside refineries again.

The rumour spread quickly around the country and motorists, worried they would be left high and dry by another fuel shortage, surged to filling stations in the town causing gridlock on the forecourts and long queues.

Petrol companies had been working round the clock since last Thursday to get petrol to stations left dry last week.

As the weekend started, most stations only had supplies for essential services earmarked by the Government. That quickly changed and most stations had stocks replenished in time for Monday.

Dave Arnall of the Shell garage on Shipston Road was one of the few managers still with an empty forecourt on Tuesday. He had not had a delivery since the start of the crisis.

It was almost a blessing for him then, when chaos returned with the queues of the previous week stretching once again as the Chinese Whispers of a new crisis spread.

Steve Hendrie, manager of the Toll House Esso garage on Alcester Road, said he could not believe how quickly the queues formed.

"It's gone mad out there, we have been very busy indeed," he said. "We had a delivery on Monday and we were full for the first time but it looks as if that might change!"

Cathy Ward, police press officer, said long queues had formed across the county and some stations had run out of petrol.

She added: "The continuing police advice is not to panic buy and just to buy the amount of fuel needed for every day use."

Meanwhile, police are counting the cost of the operation during the crisis, which included manning the blockade at the Kingsbury petrol terminal in North Warwickshire - the largest inland oil refinery in the country.

Insp Chris Ward of Stratford police said rest days had been cancelled for some officers although leave had continued as usual.

He did not think the cost would be as high as anticipated thanks to help from neighbouring forces and commended Stratfordians for their patience.