Fuel queues spark top level talks

Talks were taking place today to avert a fuel strike by tanker drivers as queues formed on forecourts around the West Midlands.

Sales of petrol were today reported to be up 45 per cent, with demand for diesel up 20 per cent. The Government, criticised for sending mixed messages, today urged motorists to avoid panic buying.

Conciliation service Acas is trying to broker a peace deal between drivers' leaders and the seven companies involved in the dispute over terms and conditions and safety.

The union Unite said it is willing to negotiate. It will have to make an announcement by tomorrow if it wants to hit the start of the Easter holidays. It represents around 2,000 drivers in seven distribution firms. But members in two of the firms voted against strikes.

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude was forced into anclimbdown after he gave "potentially dangerous" advice for drivers' to stock up on fuel in jerry cans. And Prime Minister David Cameron appeared to advise drivers to stock up before later saying there was no need to queue for fuel.

The Government says, that among contingency plans for any strike, a "couple of hundred" military tanker crews would be trained in a bid to maintain supplies to garages as well as hospitals and schools.

Forecourts today reported frantic trade, with Chase Murco Service Station, in Hednesford, revealing sales had almost doubled in the past 24 hours.

An Acas spokesman said today: "We are in urgent discussions with the parties involved. "

By Simon Stone