Fuel: Queues forming at Dunfermline petrol stations as drivers panic-buy

The problem appears to be at its worst in the town's major supermarkets with drivers tailed back at Tesco's Duloch store and the Asda in Halbeath.

Dunfermline's smaller garages seem to be affected less badly with no significant queues at the Shell on Halbeath Road, less than a mile from the big Asda store, within the last hour, while the forecourt at the BP garage on Bothwell Street, close to the Asda St Leonard's store, was no busier than normal at the same time.

The panic-buying has been caused by the ongoing shortage of HGV drivers, which led to BP closing a small number of petrol stations across the UK, fuelling the panic-buying among drivers concerned that deliveries of petrol and diesel to forecourts across the UK could be reduced to ensure supplies do not run out.

But garage owners insist there is no shortage of fuel and drivers should not to panic-buy.

Shortly after 9.30am, we asked readers on our Facebook page whether they had experienced any difficulty getting petrol in West Fife given the problems being reported elsewhere in the UK.

Stacey McKinstray said: "The ques this morning at Asda and Morrisons were unreal, folk filling up cars then whipping Jerry cans out the boots and filling them too! No wonder there is now a shortage!"

Pamela Mortimer added: "Tesco in the town was a lot busier than usual at 9.30 this morning! Queues at every pump out the lights. All filling right up so clearly panicking already!"

Kathy Haddow said: "I had a wait this morning at the Gulf garage, Camdean. A fuel range of five miles meant I had no option but to get fuel, but it's never that busy there at that time of the morning ... usually. Wonder what's triggered the rush? Muppets."

Dawn Catterson said: "The queue for Tesco Duloch was down to the roundabout this morning."

But Glyn Ednie said: "No problems and no need to start a panic. Only five BP filling stations shut out over 1,200 does not equate to a serious shortage."