Despite the fuel crisis, it has been business as usual for schools, with teachers pulling out all the stops to get in.

But all eyes are still on the hoped-for tanker deliveries, and how a shortage of fuel might affect day to day operations next week.

Chris Tweedale, head of John Masefield High School, in Ledbury, said: "No members of staff have been absent and all buses have arrived, so it's been business as normal. A lot of staff have been sharing lifts, or they walk in. I expect school buses could be a problem if it goes on in to next week. Certain year groups may not be able to come in, but I won't be closing the school."

Trevor Hayes, deputy head at Queen Elizabeth High School, in Bromyard, said: "As far as I know, there are no problems. Only one parent has phoned and enquired about the fuel situation.

"I imagine that unless deliveries are restored, we could run into trouble by the end of next week. We have staff who live a long way away. "

Ledbury Primary School teacher Chris Field said: "The fuel crisis will affect us by today (Thursday). We are concerned about Monday because some teachers live some way from the school."

She said the school would make announcements on local radio, where necessary.

Martin Holt, headteacher at St Peter's Primary in Bromyard, said that "everything was normal" this week.

He said: "We don't have school busies and most children live within walking distance. I have a core of teachers who live in the Bromyard area."