DON'T PANIC; Plea to Midland drivers as petrol crisis looms.

Byline: BY ADAM ASPINALL

MIDLAND motorists were last night urged not to panic-buy fuel as petrol stations in Scotland reported shortages at the pumps.

Industrial action is planned to begin at 6am today when up to 1,200 workers at Grangemouth refinery are due to walk out in a row over pensions.

But Government ministers and trade bodies were pleading with members of the public to stick to their normal fuel-buying routine to prevent a run at the pumps.

Yet a number of Midland petrol stations were reporting an increase in business yesterday - although they refused to connect that with the crisis in Scotland.

One worker at a Birmingham city centre petrol station said: "There has been a lot of talk about a potential shortage so it's been busier than usual today.

"Lots of customers seem interested in the events in Scotland.

"Yet nobody seems overly worried and we haven't seen any real evidence of panic buying in Birmingham.

"But it all depends on what happens in the week and we are bracing ourselves for an influx of customers who may have got the wrong end of the stick."

The Petrol Retailers Association said most motorists seemed to be heeding the advice not to panic.

And Douglas Robertson, of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, said the situation was now calmer than earlier in the week.

The strike at one of Scotland's main fuel depots is due to last 48 hours and will cause a dip in the UK's daily oil output of up to 30 per cent overnight.

AA president Edmund King said: "We certainly saw yesterday (Friday) that people were filling up more than normal and this morning we've had some sporadic reports of garages being busier than normal.

"I wouldn't say it's a case of panic at the pumps.

"We hear that supplies are getting through from other parts of the country and our plea would be, if you've got half a tank, you'll be fine.

"It's just if those people with half a tank go and fill up to a full tank - then that creates pressure."

His calls were echoed by the UK Petroleum Industry Association. Director general Chris Hunt said: "In Scotland, the problem is mainly one of distribution as substantially higher levels of demand than normal are causing stock outs at some filling stations.

"Every effort is being made to replenish filling stations but I urge motorists to maintain their normal pattern of re-fuelling.

Mr Hunt said England and Wales would have "more than adequate" supplies of crude oil, despite the strike.

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CAPTION(S):

PANIC BUYING: Drivers in the north of England stock up while some petrol pumps were already empty