FUEL FOR THOUGHT: Amplio Technology is a computer hardware and peripherals firm in Aldbourne. Director Dave Flack said the company has more than 100 parcels a day.

Mr Flack said: "Due to the high value of our goods we prefer to use a courier the alternative is to use the postal service, which takes longer and is not as good.

"We don't have the infrastructure in this country to enable people to transport goods without independent organisations, which use petrol."

Mr Flack said in the 1980s the Red Star parcel service on the railways was as good as a courier service with next day pick up from any station in the country of your choice. But since the privatisation and fragmentation of the railway it has become harder to use, he said.

About rising petrol prices, he said: "The ramifications are that some of the smaller, independent couriers may not be able to provide a service for us."

Amplio's 20 staff live in and around Swindon and Wootton Bassett and should a crisis rear its ugly head many will be encouraged to lift-share.