PANIC buying continued in Swindon yesterday, with roads jammed outside petrol station forecourts.

Long queues formed as motorists rushed to stock up ahead of threatened strike action by fuel delivery drivers.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude was accused of sparking the stampede, repeated at forecourts across the country, by advising people to fill up jerrycans.

His comments were criticised by the AA yesterday, which said if drivers followed normal patterns there would be no shortage.

His remarks were also attacked by the fire service, although the Government continued to urge drivers to keep cars topped up.

Energy Minister Ed Davey said: “I think our major advice is that people just need to do the sensible thing. If they’re going into the petrol station, they should get a full tank of petrol, not a half-tank of petrol, and they should top up where necessary.“ The rush continued despite the Unite union and the Government appearing to be on the verge of talks.

In Swindon, long queues formed outside the Shell station in Coate Water, Esso in Dorcan Way and the Tesco garage in Ocotal Way.

Diesel ran dry at Sainsbury’s in Stratton, which followed the shut-down of Asda’s garage in West Swindon on Wednes-day.

The situation looked set to worsen last night with the rush hour combining with days of high demand.

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents 5,500 forecourts in the UK, said some members reported demand for petrol increasing by 81 per cent.

At the BP service station in Bridge End Road, diesel ran dry at 12.15pm, followed by unleaded at 5.45pm.

A spokesman for Asda’s press office said: “We are working flat-out making sure tankers go out to stores if they run out of fuel.”

The Texaco in Marlboro-ugh Road was also expected to run dry last night.

Queues formed late into Wednesday night, with tempers fraying as cars backed on to roads in the dark.   The ACAS arbitration service was trying to convene talks yesterday, with the union needing to make an announcement today if it wants the strike to hit the start of the Easter holidays.

Tanker drivers have voted to strike over pay and health and safety conditions, with the Army poised to step in if the walkout goes ahead.

An Acas spokesman said: “We are now in the process of receiving more detailed briefings from the parties on the various issues underpinning the dispute.

“This will enable us to determine more clearly the form substantive talks should take to provide the best opportunity for a negotiated settlement.

“We should conclude that process by Monday and would then hope substantive discussions would follow shortly afterwards.“ In Dorset, police confirmed five garages were asked to close to relieve congestion. A Wiltshire Police spokesman said no similar action had been taken in the county.