DESPERATE drivers were panic buying at Droitwich petrol stations after rumours that blockades had resumed.

Spa Service Station manager David Guest said trade was back to normal at the Hanbury Road forecourt until lunchtime yesterday.

He added: "It just went mad. We've heard a hoax started on the Internet.

"People know it's scaremongering but they don't want to risk running out of petrol. Fortunately, we had a tanker delivery on Monday morning."

Long queues had also formed at Paul Newbury Ltd, in Worcester Road.

Forecourt manager Keith Lumb said: "People are saying they've heard the blockades have started again. Everyone is panic buying."

He added: "We were one of the few garages which did not run out of petrol. We opened for a few hours each day to serve customers and provided fuel for the emergency services."

An employee at Droitwich Service Station, in Worcester Road, said manager Matthew Burnham was unable to comment because he was directing traffic which was queuing outside.

Hours earlier, Mr Burnham had told the Advertiser: "It's good to return to normality."

At noon yesterday, West Mercia Police said the rumours about the blockades were not true.