DOZENS of filling stations ran dry yesterday after false reports of panic buying proved selffulfilling, with motorists rushing to the pumps.

Hundreds more forecourts are expected to run out of fuel by lunchtime today despite efforts by oil companies to calm the situation. Stations were forced to close in Huddersfield, Nottingham and west Cornwall after rumours about local fuel shortages spread quickly and prompted a doubling in demand.

In Liverpool police appealed on radio stations to people to stop clogging 999 lines to ask about fuel availability. Roads were blocked in Southampton, Leeds and Stoke by long queues of cars.

The Petrol Retailers’ Association said that the problem had begun at lunchtime yesterday after some newspapers and radio stations mistook normal Sunday-night queues for evidence of panic buying.

Ray Holloway, the director of the association, said: “These media reports have been self-fulfilling, with people panicked into filling up just in case there is a shortage.”

With only 900 tankers available to replenish 10,000 forecourts, the queues are likely to continue forming until the end of the week. If protesters succeed in disrupting supplies tomorrow, the Government will use emergency powers to introduce a minimum purchase for fuel. Motorists will have to pay a fixed sum, probably £20, before being allowed access to the pumps.

During the fuel-duty protests of 2000, many queues were caused by motorists who wished to spend only £5 or £10 or to fill a petrol can.

A working group involving the oil industry, police and the Department of Trade and Industry has also prepared an essential-users’ scheme. Doctors, nurses, police officers and firemen, among others, will be able to register on a website and a station in each area will be reserved for them. Mr Holloway said that the fuel-supply system was more vulnerable to panic buying now than during the protests of 2000 because there were 3,000 fewer forecourts.

He said that drivers were ignoring claims by the Government and the big oil companies that there was no evidence of panic buying. “Motorists don’t trust the official statements because they don’t want to be the one left with an empty tank.” Mr Holloway said that London was the one area of the country where there were few reports of panic buying.

Jackie Harvey, the manager of Imperial Motors, at Ponsanooth, near Falmouth, said: “It’s caused by people listening to the media. We have told everyone there is no need to panic. We have a delivery today, one tomorrow and another one coming on Wednesday. But they are still queueing up outside.”

Despite its rural location, Jacksons garage, outside Solihull, saw a rush of custom. Paula Jackson said: “Normally we would have three or four cars queueing for pumps but today we have been operating them all, and there are people queueing right up the road. There won’t be enough for Thursday.”

Managers at several stations around Birmingham said that they were too busy to talk.

The AA Motoring Trust said: “The problem with panic buying is that it destroys the whole finely balanced system between refineries, forecourts and cars. It creates an artificial shortage.”

Last night the Road Haulage Association reported growing support among hauliers for joining protests at refineries from tomorrow. A spokesman said that Stanlow, Cheshire, was a particular target, though the association did not expect any lorries to be used to mount blockades. Farmers for Action, which took part in the protests in 2000, said that it was not supporting any demonstrations.

Andrew Spence, spokesman for the Fuel Lobby, said last night that refinery protests would be peaceful and lawful.

Chris Hunt, the directorgeneral of the UK Petroleum Industry Association, said: “We are trying to run refineries flat out at the moment to meet the shortfalls caused by world demand. We have a strategic reserve of 80 days.”