PETROL stations across mid and north Wales are running out of fuel with two filling stations in the Aberystwyth area out of diesel.

Morrisons supermarket in Aberystwyth is currently out of diesel as is the BP filling station in Penrhyncoch, which is rationing unleaded petrol to £20 per car.

Forecourts across the area have seen big queues today as motorists clamber to fill their tanks, with the added pressure in the Aberystwyth area of students returning to campus from all over the UK.

Earlier today, North Wales Police issued a plea to motorists not to panic buy.

The force said: “We are in touch with fuel stations in the region who have reported that there is no disruption to deliveries at the majority of sites and fuel deliveries are expected to continue as usual.

“We urge the public not to form long queues at petrol stations and cause unnecessary obstructions in roads, potentially causing risk of harm to pedestrians and other road users.

We ask that if you are queuing and see an emergency service vehicle waiting, please consider allowing them to refuel first so that they can carry on keeping the community safe and responding to emergencies.”

The UK Government’s transport secretary, Grant Shapps, tried to dissuade drivers from panic buying petrol on Friday, saying motorists should ‘carry on as normal’.

The issue has been exacerbated after BP announced on Thursday that it was to start rationing supplies of petrol and diesel due to a shortage of HGV drivers.

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents two thirds of Britain’s petrol stations, has warned drivers to keep tanks at least a quarter full.

The Welsh Government said: "The shortage of HGV drivers is of significant concern as they are critical to effective and timely distribution of goods across the country.

"We are monitoring the situation very closely but responsibility lies with UK government and we continue to raise our concerns with them."