The drivers with pay demands of 13 per cent, have been offered 6 per cent from Hoyer, which has been rejected and Unite the union involved balloted members who overwhelmingly agreed on industrial action. Hoyer officials were quoted in the Daily Telegraph as being "shocked" at the level of the pay demands.

Unite has said that the strike will seriously affect the supply of petrol and there is also a potential for secondary picketing, which could see more petrol stations supply being impacted.

Officials of Unite have said that Shell has not given any room to manoeuvre with no liklihood of more money, bringing the potential for a strike to the fore.

Last ditch talks tomorrow will take place, if these fail strike action could take place as early as next week, causing panic buying all over the capital.

Shell this year reported annual profits of £13.9 billion a record for a UK listed company.