LONG queues built up outside petrol stations across Wiltshire today as motorists waited to fuel their vehicles in response to a panic-buying crisis.

In Trowbridge, a queue of cars built up before 7.30am at the Apple petrol station near Asda in Bythesea Road, while at the BP service station on the West Ashton Road queues went far as far as the County Way roundabout.

It was the same in Bradford on Avon, as drivers queued to get into the Texaco service stations on New Road and the Trowbridge Road.

Managers put out ‘no diesel’ signs at some service stations as the pumps ran dry, and motorists were being turned away and forced to seek alternative outlets.

AA president Edmund King described the supply problems as a “temporary blip” and said that panic buying was driving the petrol crisis and making the situation worse.

He said there was “plenty of fuel at source” but shortages at the pumps were exacerbated by “people going out and filling up when they really don’t need

The long queues continued to form at forecourts across Wiltshire this morning despite pleas from ministers for calm.

In some counties, police have urged motorists to be “sensible” and to only contact them in relation to criminal offences or large-scale disorder.

Some of the largest UK operators have already started to ration fuel with EG Group setting a limit of £30 per customer at nearly 400 stations, while pumps at some BP, Esso, Tesco and Shell sites were closed.

BP said on Friday afternoon that between 50 and 100 stations are affected by the loss of at least one grade of fuel, with around 20 of its 1,200 sites currently closed through loss of delivery supply.

Shell said it is seeing "increased demand" at its petrol stations which in some cases may mean longer queues than normal.

The company added it is adapting its delivery schedules to make sure there are sufficient supplies, while Esso said a few of its sites were affected too.

Tesco said two of the 500 petrol stations it operates were currently affected, describing the impact as minimal and ensuring that supply is replenished whenever this happens.

In an email to customers, Texaco said its fuel supplies are "ample" and it will keep all of its stations adequately stocked, adding there is no need for customers to "fill up more frequently than normal".

Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons said they were not affected.

The crisis has been sparked by the shortage of HGV drivers and the government is now considering lifting its visa restrictions to attract 5,000 foreign workers into the country.