A community service which transports blood supplies around the county is calling for people to stop panic buying fuel.

The Service By Emergency Response Volunteers (SERV), which is also known as the Bloodrunners, are experiencing staff shortages as many have battled to report for duty.

The team usually deliver to hospitals around Kent overnight and at weekends and even launched a 24-hour service to help during the pandemic.

But several of them have been unable to get to their base at the M2 Services near Gillingham – which is used as a handover point for blood – because it has been overrun by cars at times.

SERV secretary Johan Pieterse revealed that this weekend the normal seven-person shift only had two or three volunteers available.

He said: "People should only fill up if they really need to and think about putting people's lives at risk.

"We are trying to save people's lives and it is the same for other emergency services. We are out there trying to save people."

His comments come as the South East Coast Ambulance Service moves to reassure the public and calls for common sense.

A spokesman said: “We have sufficient fuel stocks and are continuing to work with our partners to monitor the situation while supporting staff.

"We urge the public to be sensible, only buy the fuel they require and, as ever, be aware when driving of any blue light vehicle looking to progress through traffic.”

Mr Pieterse added: "Today, it is still a bit of a challenge. Panic buying is stopping us from helping people."

Volunteers pay for their own fuel and many use their own vehicles although they do have six marked cars and motorbikes.

Some petrol stations are offering fuel to emergency services only which the teams have been using but some are still having problems.

SERV was awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for their ongoing work earlier this month.

Meanwhile, a taxi firm which transports special needs children across Medway and Kent, has had to temporarily cancel one of its services.

Lorne Brown, who runs Lordswood-based Canada Cabs, has informed parents his drivers will not be able to take pupils to the Elaine Education Centre in Strood.

The boss, who has a contract to ferry youngsters with Medway Council, said: "It's a very challenging time. We are following the guidelines from the council and taking it day by day.

"What makes it worse, is that a lot of our cars need diesel and that's really hard to come by."

Mr Brown, who started his company five years ago, now has a fleet of about 130 vehicles and operates across the county.

He said: "We have a WhatsApp group to let us know if there are any petrol stations with fuel. But often when we get there it's run out.

"It's crazy out there. And the number of people queueing – some from 4am – is causing massive traffic problems everywhere."

Mr Brown apologised to clients whose youngsters attend the centre, based at Elaine Primary School in Elaine Avenue, and said he would be issuing regular updates.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway