Fuel pumps are now running dry at service stations on both the M2 and M20 as motorists continue to panic buy.

There are reports of no fuel being available on the M20 at the Maidstone Services at Junction 8, for Leeds Castle.

Meanwhile, diesel has run out at the Medway Services on the M2.

The shortage impact those travelling in each direction.

It comes during a day which has seen queues and delays around many forecourts and motorists queueing through the night to fill up - causing headaches to many and fears among tourists they could end up being stranded.

The problem has been caused by the on-going shortage of HGV drivers. The government has repeatedly assured motorists there is no shortage of fuel and that they should not fill up unnecessarily.

But it has not stopped people desperate to fill up their tanks with reports of big queues around forecourts across the county all day.

There were huge queues around the Tesco superstore in Ashford this morning, the BP forecourt on Canterbury Road, Margate, has run out of fuel and there were delays around the petrol station on the A2 at Sittingbourne.

The government is expected to announce a temporary visa scheme to fix the lorry driver shortage this weekend.

Downing Street sources said the scheme, which reports suggest will temporarily lift visa restrictions for foreign drivers, is to be a “short-term solution” to ease pressure on deliveries in the run-up to Christmas.

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