Don't panic

"Don't panic, don't panic!" The words of the immortal Lance Corporal Jones could well be applied to events of today, September 24.

It would have been impossible to miss the queues outside petrol stations - long queues at Jempson's, Peasmarsh and gridlock at the Skinners roundabout. It was a similar situation at almost every petrol station in the area - the result of the news last night and this morning that a shortage of HGV drivers was making it difficult for the petrol companies to make scheduled deliveries to some of their outlets.

It should be emphasised that the government says stocks of fuel, both petrol and diesel are ample and more than adequate to meet demand, the problem is simply getting it from depot to pump.

There is therefore, absolutely no need to stock up beyond normal requirements either on goods or petrol and to do so will only exacerbate the situation.

Today Jempson's issued the following statement:

"Our Peasmarsh petrol station has seen a surge in fuel demand. Deliveries are scheduled tomorrow, Monday and next week.

"There is no need to panic, be sensible and only buy as normal. We are 'stacking' those queuing for fuel so that access to the supermarket is not impeded."