RUMOURS of fuel shortages swept west Wiltshire, with panic buyers forcing some petrol stations to close.

Garages were overwhelmed by panic-stricken motorists who did not want to be caught out with no fuel. Many also filled up petrol cans.

Petrol pump attendant Brian Colvin at the Murco garage in New Road, Bradford on Avon, said the filling station had run out of petrol on Saturday morning and it was only thanks to a delivery later that day that the garage was able to continue trading.

Mr Colvin said: "People are certainly keeping their tanks full."

In Chippen-ham the Elf Garage opposite the Hungry Horse public house introduced rationing.

The BP garage next to the John Miller Centre had run out of diesel and Sainsbury's garage closed.

Angus Yeates, from the Murco Service Station in Snarlton Road, Melksham, said there had been a few problems with queuing motorists at the weekend but tanker deliveries from the refineries were still operating as usual.

"It is a bit ridiculous with people worrying about a lack of petrol, but we are carrying on as normal," said Mr Yeates.

The Roundabout Motorist Centre in Bradford Road, Melksham, has served motorists who have travelled from Bath.

Owner Heather Allerton-Baldwin said: "We haven't had to restrict fuel and we are certainly hoping the situation we had in September does not arise again."

In West-bury at the H and R Garage fuel was running low on Sunday and Monday.

Manager David Rick-ard was forced to turn the forecourt lights off to deter panic buying.

The garage received a delivery on Tuesday. "We are going to play it by ear, if it goes potty we'll probably close altogether," said Mr Rickard.

Petrol stations in Trowbridge were operating as normal although queues at the weekend had been longer than usual.