PANIC petrol buying swept Worcester as motorists queued at pumps across the city amid fears of a national fuel crisis.

Many stations set maximum petrol limits of £10 or £20 per vehicle and others put up home-made signs ordering 'no petrol cans' and proclaiming 'there is no fuel crisis'.

However, unconvinced motorists continued to snap-up fuel - which has risen to almost £1 a litre over the past few months - with queues in many areas spilling over from forecourts into the road.

One driver, Jenny Johnson, was taken by surprise when she arrived at the Total garage, on Henwick Road.

Cars were queueing - at times into the road, blocking other vehicles - and horns were sounded as motorists jockeyed for position. "I was only planning to put in about £10 of petrol but when I saw the £20 maximum, and how busy it was, I put in the full £20," she said.

"I need my car and after hearing people talking I assume there is going to be a shortage. I come here regularly and it was a total surprise to see this."

Like many others, the petrol station has banned customers from filling extra containers with fuel.

An employee said: "It was busy yesterday but people have been really panicking today. One person tried to fill up big Land Rovers and two or three jerry cans with fuel. We have set a limit so that everybody gets an equal measure. However, we are trying to reassure people there is no crisis."

The Worcester News was also told of extensive queues and Tesco stores in St Peter's and Warndon, as well as the petrol station in Castle Street.

There was also an unconfirmed report that one station had run out altogether.

The panic comes after campaigning truckers and farmers gave Ministers three days to meet them to thrash out a deal over the amount of fuel tax - currently 65 per cent of the price of a litre.

If there is no meeting, truckers plan to protest tomorrow, Thursday and Friday by blocking motorways and demonstrating at refineries.