As the fuel situation worsens with drivers rushing to the pumps amid fears of a shortage despite ministers saying the supply chain is well-stocked, people's weekend plans have been left in tatters.

Many took to social media as the crisis took hold in Kent with people being forced to miss birthday parties or being unable to go to work.

Tourists visiting the county say they are worried they will be left stranded and unable to fill up enough to get back home when their holiday ends.

It comes after queues through the night were reported at petrol stations around Kent, some forecourts seeing a surge in prices and a price cap issued by some companies in a bid to halt panic buying and maintain supplies before the next deliveries.

Grandfather Tony McGovern said his granddaughter, who lives in Kent, went out twice trying to find fuel but "had to give up".

He said: "She was coming to visit me for my birthday, I told her not to waste what petrol she has driving around."

Meanwhile, @Kealeyyyyy took to Twitter after saying she was visiting Kent "for a few days", adding: "We are already low on diesel, 9 petrol stations later we can’t get any. There’s no chance of us getting back home to Leeds on Monday at this rate."

Kelly Mcvey said her relative who works in the police was sent out to fill up patrol cars but were unable to secure any fuel.

She added: "No petrol station is saving fuel for the emergency services she came back with no diesel absolute joke."

The government is addressing issues with a shortage of HGV drivers, which caused BP to close a handful of garages on Thursday sparking a rush to the pumps, by drawing up plans to relax visa rules temporarily to allow foreign drivers to ease the pressure.

Ministers have been holding discussions with an announcement expected over the weekend.

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said on Friday people needed to behave as normal and there was no need to stock up on fuel with plenty available in the chain.

Now, forecourts have begun closing up across the county following the rush on Friday.

The situation has been described as "ridiculous" by Twitter user @KentRoxxy who added: "I’m actually now in the red ( light on ) and I only have enough to drive to a petrol station and I’m scared of risking it. Meant to do weekly shopping today and I can’t now, I’m stuck with no diesel. People are idiots."

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