Three petrol stations in Medway were out of fuel this morning
with others warning they could soon follow.

We have a round-up of availability in the Towns this morning -

see below.

Most petrol stations we called have fuel but many are
experiencing queues after government ministers advised people to
"keep topping up" and keep "a bit of extra fuel in a jerry
can".

The run on forecourts came after tanker drivers from the Unite
union threatened to strike - but a date has not even been set.

Steve Fox, who owns the Texaco garage in Walderslade Village,
has been told his usual next-day delivery will take six days.

He said: "The earliest I can place an order is next Thursday. It
looks like I'm going to run out at noon today. We've got an order
already in the pipeline which we hope will come soon but normally
you order for the following day.

"We sold a whole tanker worth's yesterday in less than a day.
I'm sure it'll quieten down over the weekend but it's not in
anyone's control now."

Andrew Clarke, who manages Sherlodge in Hoath Lane, Gillingham
said: "We are near enough right out. It's just gone mental for
choice of a better word."

However, he added: "We've got fuel coming tomorrow."

Drivers have been urged to keep calm and not fill more than the
legal levels of petrol cans - two 10-litre metal cans or two
five-litre plastic containers.

Stuart Skilton from Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "Petrol
gives off a highly flammable vapour and therefore must be handled
with extreme care."

List of fuel availability in
Medway - accurate at 10am Friday

ROCHESTER

Total, Maidstone Road

u 139.9 d 147.9

Texaco, City Way

u 143.9 d 148.9

STROOD

Texaco, Watling Street

u 142.9 d SOLD OUT

Morrisons, Knight Road

u 138.9 d 146.9

Jet, High Street (A2)

u 145.9 d 150.9

BP, London Road

Available but refused to reveal prices over the phone

Esso, Frindsbury Road

SOLD OUT

Co-Op, Medway City Estate

u 142.9 d 147.9

HOO/GRAIN

F R Bradford, Sharnal Street, High Halstow

u 142.9 d 147.9

CHATHAM

Total, Dock Road

Available but refused to reveal prices over the phone

Esso, New Road

SOLD OUT

Texaco, Maidstone Road

u 143.9 d SOLD OUT

Murco, Magpie Hall Road

u 142.9 d 148.9

Morrisons, Princes Avenue, Walderslade

u 138.9 d 149.9

Texaco, Walderslade Village

Due to run out within the next few hours

Sherlodge, Lords Wood Lane

Diesel available, due to run out of unleaded at 1pm

GILLINGHAM

Esso, Watling Street

SOLD OUT

Shell, Nelson Road

u 139.9 d 147.9

Coop, Beechings Way

u 143.9 d 148.9

Sherlodge, Hoath Lane

u About to sell out d SOLD OUT

Sainsburys, Hempstead Valley

u 138.9 d 147.9

Berengrave, Lower Rainham Road

u 143.9 d SOLD OUT

MAIN ROADS

Shell, Blue Bell Hill (Maidstone-bound)

Available but refused to reveal prices over the phone

Shell, Blue Bell Hill (Chatham-bound)

u 139.9 d 146.9

Medway Services, Farthing Corner, M2

u 148.9 d 155.9