A petrol station has been forced to close its unleaded pumps over fears of contaminated fuel.

Pumps were shut off at the Murco in Sutton Valence but not before some drivers had been affected.

The owners of the Maidstone Road business have offered compensation but say some customers are abusing their kindness.

Owner Nirmalan Nadrajah said: “Some people are coming and claiming they filled their tank a month ago.

“I have said please give me the time and date and registration number, if your vehicle was here during that time we will do whatever we need to compensate you.

“But some people are taking advantage and abusing our kindness.”

The petrol station has been serving the village for 10 years, but is facing a backlash from residents.

IT engineer Simon Ewbank’s motorbike broke down outside the station after filling up with £22 worth of unleaded on the morning of the closure.

The Brishing Road, Chart Sutton resident said: “I’ve been there loads of times before, my dad goes there, but now I wouldn’t touch the place.”

"We can't test the fuel before we sell... we trust the company who deliver it to us" - Nirmalan Nadrajah

Mr Nadrajah said he had never had the contamination issue before.

“Of course, we will be working carefully to put in any future safety measures," he said.

“It’s unfortunate what’s happened. We can’t test the fuel before we sell. We trust the company who deliver it to us.”

Tests are continuing to find out how the fuel may have been contaminated.

Motor Fuel Group, which is responsible for delivering petrol to the station, has been approached for a comment.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Maclaren complained after her journey to Leicester was cut short after stopping at the Morrisons petrol station off Sutton Road.

Her Hyundai broke down twice, once on Wrotham Hill and then on the Essex side of the Dartford Crossing, where she decided to turn around and head home.

The 48-year-old Chart Sutton resident said: “I took it into a Hyundai mechanics and they said the fuel filter was completely clogged up and there were particles floating in the fuel.

"Apparently there have been quite a few complaints from Morrisons.”

A Morrisons spokesman said it had received no complaints over the quality of its fuel but treated such incidents seriously.