TEMPERS rose with the temperature when Monday's 'panic at the pumps' took hold across Herefordshire.

The situation developed so suddenly that some service station employees were soon enduring abuse from angry motorists. With patience running out faster than petrol, long queues at stations, especially in the city, did little to ease frustration in close conditions.

Operators speak of their busiest time ever. Many met weekly sales quotas over one day, as drivers filled up with whatever was available.

By lunchtime the 'warning signs' were going up and as afternoon wore on the region was running on empty.

Calmer conditions could be found at rural stations, but business proved just as brisk.

Reports on lunchtime TV news bulletins brought many out to 'fill-up', and not only their cars. Cans and containers of all shapes and sizes were being pressed into storage service.

By Tuesday most stations were offering 'shop only' as staff bunkered down waiting for tankers to arrive. At some garages a 'locals only' loyalty system was being introduced.

Hereford MP Paul Keetch, meanwhile, was busy 'ringing round' the region's major employers and emergency services to ascertain their fuel situation.

Putting the crisis into a political context, Mr Keetch said 'most people' believed the government was 'making money at the expense of motorists'.

"When fuel prices rise, the government should soften the impact on motorists and hauliers. There must also be more investment in public transport and in researching renewable fuel sources."

Blockades, shortages and 'panic buying' were, however, not the way to move forward, said Mr Keetch.

Leominster would-be Tory MP Bill Wiggin also joined the fray. A weekend visit to Kington Show had, he said, brought home how 'disastrous' high fuel tax was for the rural community.

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