DESPERATE drivers have been spotted waiting in huge queues at petrol stations across the country as fears of increased fuel prices mount.
Brits have been urged to avoid panic buying at the pump despite experts warning the war in the Middle East could lead to record oil price hikes.
Pictures show rows of cars lined up in bumper-to-bumper queues at a Costco petrol station in Manchester this morning.
An hour away, in Liverpool, drivers waiting for fuel spilled out of the forecourt and into neighbouring roads.
And, more concerningly, other images appeared to show pumps had run dry at a number of garages across the UK.
A worrying sign outside one Tesco branch in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, today read: “Sorry. No diesel available.”
Out of use signs were also spotted on both petrol and diesel dispensers at a BP station in Croydon, south London, last night.
A Shell garage in Cricklewood, north London, had coned off the forecourt and placed bags over the pumps this morning.
Similar warnings and clamps were also placed on pumps at a Valero Garage in Beckenham, south east London, yesterday.
Pump prices dropped to their lowest level in almost five years in January.
But drivers are now bracing for prices to rise again after the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran over the weekend.
AA president Edmund King told The Times that the conflict will “inevitably lead to price hikes” for motorists.
He added that the UK could see “record prices at the pumps” within the next 10 to 12 days.
The average UK price of petrol is 132.9p a litre, and diesel 142.4p, according to the latest AA figures.
But the motoring association is urging drivers who may be worried about price hikes not to panic buy at the forecourts this week.
Luke Bosdet, the AA’s spokesman on pump prices, told The Sun: “There is no need for drivers to refuel any differently than normal.
“Not only does it take time for cost increases to work their way through to the pump, but spring is nearly here and car fuel consumption drops.
“Engines don’t have to work as hard as they do in the winter.”
As the conflict enters its fourth day, Iran has claimed the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial oil export route – is closed.
Blocking the key waterway – which carries around a fifth of the world’s oil – could spark global economic chaos.
But the US has disputed the claim – emphasising that the strait remains open despite threats by Iran’s remaining leadership.
Since Trump launched his strikes on Iran, vessels in the Strait of Hormuz had been targeted on several occasions by both sides.
On Monday, an Iranian oil tanker was left burning in the water after it was hit.
The same day, the price of Brent crude oil soared by as much as 13%.
Meanwhile, pressure is piling on Rachel Reeves, who will deliver her Spring Statement later today, to reverse plans for an upcoming fuel duty hike.
It is set to rise for the first time in 15 years, after Ms Reeves announced in her Autumn Budget that a temporary 5p cut would be axed in September.
The AA added that the Chancellor should consider delaying scrapping the 5p cut.
A Treasury spokesperson said: “We have extended the 5p fuel duty cut from this month to the end of August to support drivers across the country.”
The Sun has approached BP, Shell, Tesco and Valero for comment.
