London forecourts are starting to feel the squeeze and are running out of fuel due to striking Shell workers.

Union leaders issued a warning that Shell petrol stations would start running out of supplies 'almost immediately' in their four-day protest. Other forecourts are reporting higher than usual business as people try to 'stock up' triggering fears of a run on fuel.

No extra provisions

A shell garage in Bayswater was the first to turn customers away when it ran out of fuel at 6 this morning. It says no extra provisions have been made. Drivers were met by snaking queues elsewhere as other, non strike affected petrol stations, take the extra burden - those driving home tonight are already queuing up for the weekend.

AA warnings

The AA is warning drivers not to panic buy and only make short necessary journeys. They expect call outs to be significantly up as drivers run out of fuel on the roads and motorways.

Emergency plans

Business Secretary, John Hutton said that emergency fuel delivery plans will be implemented to avoid any serious disruption in fuel supply. The Prime Minister cautioned the public against panic buying of petrol and diesel. Saying

"We believe that this strike is unnecessary, and we would want to ensure that nothing was done that inconvenienced the public, but the most responsible thing the public can do is to continue to buy as normal."

Despite the assurances by the government, petrol stations are seeing drivers filling up tanks in anticipation of shortages. A litre of unleaded in London today has reached 122p with diesel at 135p.

Mayor says: on your bike

As the strike began to bite, Mayor Boris Johnson told commuters to 'get on their bikes' to beat the crisis. Ironically the fuel strike comes at the start of Bike Week.