HYSTERIA hit Warrington as panic buying left the petrol pumps 'bone-dry'.

Queues stretched for up to a quarter-of-a-mile and tempers were frayed ahead of a supposed fuel blockade.

Major suppliers like Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's all ran out.

But Stanlow refinery in Ellesmere Port was free from protestors yesterday, Wednesday, and only low-key demonstrations were held elsewhere.

Star Service Station in Manchester Road, Woolston, said buying started on Sunday but from Monday morning onwards queues of up 20 cars began to build.

The BP Station in Warrington Road, Penketh, said it was mayhem from 9am selling three days worth of petrol in five hours.

Frustration was setting in at the station and one woman 'punched out' at a man who pulled up in front of her.

At one point the queue from the BP station was meeting the back of the queue from the Murco station in Liverpool Road, Great Sankey.

The long queues, especially in Winwick Road, disrupted bus lanes and blocked traffic. Staff were overwhelmed by the day-long demand.

Tesco's station in Orford Green said it had been 'horrendous' before the fuel ran out while an amazed staff member at Crosfield Service Station said: "They've cleaned us out. We're bone-dry!"

Exhausted staff at Shell in Winwick Road worked from 9am Monday to 12.30am Tuesday.

Queues at Texaco in Chester Road were two hours long by the evening and customers were limited to £20.

And it did not stop overnight.

A staff member at the 24-hour Esso garage in Wilderspool Causeway said: "They were coming through the early hours - we ran out at 5am."

The buying continued throughout Tuesday but by now many stations were empty - and they were ringing harassed suppliers for more.

One woman spent more than £100 at the Star station in Manchester Road by filling up her car and three petrol cans.

But a backlash was beginning among drivers who simply needed fuel to go to work.

Lisa Hand, aged 31, a sales executive from Callands in Westbrook, who was queuing to buy a £15 limit at Texaco, on Lovely Lane, said: "I think the panic buyers are adding to the problems. It's absolutely crazy."

David Boardman, a 51-year-old carpet fitter from Trafford Avenue in Bewsey, looked around and said: "I need petrol but what caused the problem is all this - the panic buying."

The problem eased on Wednesday as the blockades failed to materialise.

Warrington Borough Transport boss Nigel Featham said the firm has three weeks of reserves and the risk of disruption is 'absolutely minimal'.

Chris Hunt of the UK Petroleum Industry said: "Measures are in place with Cheshire Constabulary to ensure there's a free movement of product. We will not be accepting blockades."

Cheshire Police said it had 'longstanding plans' to protect Stanlow, which supplies Warrington. The road layout has also been altered to make access to tankers more difficult.

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