PEOPLE living or working in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have been warned that public services are likely to deteriorate during the next 48 hours.

With no significant supplies of fuel expected across the counties members of the public are being urged to continue using other forms of transportation and avoid unnecessary journeys or work from home.

"Organisations have already cancelled non-essential and support services in order to concentrate on front-line and emergency services which are required to protect life and property," said deputy chief constable Peter Neyroud of West Mercia Police.

"The position is now being reached that some of these key services are now coming under great threat of disruption.

"If there is no significant change in the fuel situation in the immediate future, lives could be put at risk."

Hospitals are already experiencing a disruption in the collection of clinical waste services and laundry services are affected.

Patients are unable to be discharged due to transportation problems and essential supplies, including pharmacy drugs are not being delivered.

Hospitals are anticipating problems in supplying oxygen to people requiring it at home and also in medical centres.

Local authorities are also under pressure. Social services staff are experiencing problems with a number of home care services which are contracted out to external suppliers who are running out of petrol.

Schools may be forced to shut early next week due to staff shortages.

Household waste sites are closed and district councils have suspended many refuse collections.

The emergency services have aired their concerns about fuel stocks.

In a meeting with the heads of the services yesterday the fire brigade said it was concerned that retained firefighetrs may not be able to travel to stations to respond to emergency calls.

Police staff are having to make emergency travel arrangements and all routine meetings and visits have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Other services affected are breakdown services, which are unable to provide their usual level of service, Parcelforce, which has suspended collection and delivery service and the Post Office estimates it has five days' fuel left.