Kent forecourts are feeling the petrol pinch - with some reporting takings down by up to a third.

As the tanker drivers dispute draws to an end, fuel is running dry at some of the county's Shell stations.

There were fresh hopes that the dispute will be resolved, as fresh talks took place between unions and management.

But if talks fail another strike could start as early as Friday.

The industrial action affected around 600 drivers working for two companies with contracts to deliver petrol to Shell forecourts.

Its impact on Kent has been severe, with some forecourts now dry and others having only “super” fuels left to sell.

The Shell station on Blue Bell Hill in Maidstone ran out of diesel around 9.15am on Monday.

It lasted longer than the Shell Station in Sandling Road, just outside Maidstone, which ran out of diesel on Saturday.

The Shell Tamarisk station in Linto Road, Loose, ran dry of both regular diesel and regular unleaded supplies on Sunday afternoon, but they still had some "super" fuels available.

The Shell station on Canterbury Road, Faversham, saw takings drop by a third on Sunday morning and now has run out of regular diesel and regular unleaded supplies.

Sales assistant, Andre Jul-Christensen, said: “We have only got V-power diesel and V-power unleaded petrol left. It has not been busy and the situation is very uncertain. There is no guarantee we will get a delivery on Tuesday.”

A Shell forecourt in Hawley Road, Dartford, also ran out of regular diesel and unleaded petrol on Saturday and advanced fuels on Sunday.

The tank drivers employed by Shell contractors Hoyer UK and Suckling are demanding a 13 per cent pay rise.

A spokesman from Unite union, who is currently in talks with Shell, said: “We are going to see how things progress. But we have not ruled out a possible strike on Friday if talks fail.”

BP petrol station in London Road, Strood, is reporting business as usual today and still has fuel.

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