PETROL stations ran out of fuel yesterday as panicking drivers filled up cars, lawnmowers and even a boat.

One customer threatened a 17-year-old cashier at the Esso garage in Toft Road, Knutsford, when the pumps dried up.

"It's just horrendous at the moment," said manager Kathy Blackley yesterday (Tuesday) morning. "We're slowly running out again because it's been constant all day."

Queues of cars blocked roads yesterday as drivers paid up to 97.9p for a litre of unleaded petrol at garages near Knutsford.

The panic buying was sparked by reports that fuel protesters would stage demonstrations this week.

The Esso garage expected to sell a week's worth of petrol in just two days. Customers arrived there with cars, petrol cans and one man even filled up his boat.

"People have heard it on the news so they're panic buying," said Mrs Blackley.

"We've had constant queues all day. They're even filling up little cans for their lawnmowers."

On Monday morning dozens of drivers arrived at service stations as queues of more than 15 cars blocked some roads and forecourts.

Former town mayor Tony Ranfield said his colleagues were late for a meeting at the Council Offices in Toft Road, Knutsford. "You can't get from here to Chelford because of the queues of cars going for petrol," he said.

Queues also formed along Toft Road as drivers tried to fill up at the Shell garage.

Drivers on the forecourt said they did not realise so many people would decide to get petrol.

"I didn't think it would have the effect it has had," said estate agent Andrew Rogers, 36.

"You very rarely have to queue for gas here."

Later that day Shell staff put up signs because they ran out of petrol and were not expecting another delivery until 7am yesterday.

The Esso garage also ran out of fuel And closed their pumps by about 7pm on Monday, after selling three days worth of petrol in a day.

A tanker arrived at the station yesterday morning, but Mrs Blackley said they would run out of fuel again before the next delivery.

"This morning, before we opened up, they were queuing outside already," she said.

"But there's no point in people coming if we've got nothing left."

Yesterday morning the BP Service Station in Mobberley Road, Knutsford, said they expected to sell out of fuel before their next delivery.

Manager Sybil Morton said many customers were blaming the Government for the increased petrol prices and possible protests.

"The main comment is 'Gordon Brown won't run out of petrol, will he?'" she said.

Cheshireways Service Station on the A556 in Mere said they would also run out of petrol if customers continued to panic buy.

Manager Muttu Kugathasan said staff had sold about three days worth of petrol in a day and queues were stretching onto the road.

"I think today could be an earlier finish," he said.

"At the moment they the cars are in the road and it's still busy."