Drivers have been panic buying petrol across Richmond, Twickenham and beyond causing long queues and jams.

Pleas from the Transport minister, Grant Shapps, and others were ignored by motorists, traders and school run parents, worried about running out of fuel.

The leader of Richmond Borough Council, Gareth Roberts, tweeted pictures of queues at the pumps at one Sainsbury's garage forecourt.

There were also long queues at a Shell on the Staines Road in Twickenham with vehicles queuing out into the main road.

Cllr Roberts wrote: "Sorry to report fuel panic buying at Hampton Sainsbury's."

He added: "If you don't NEED to fill up, DON'T. You could be depriving those with genuine needs & emergencies. If you MUST fill up avoid #Hampton Sainsbury's. Avoid the area in general, traffic now queuing down Uxbridge Rd."

There are fears that the panic buying may be stopping motorists who are in genuine need of fuel from getting to the pumps.

The Richmond Park MP, Sarah Olney, tweeted: "It's been disappointing to see so many petrol station queues today. The Government has been clear that there is no need to panic buy.

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"However, what's also clear is that Government needs to urgently get to grips with the #hgvdrivershortage so that vulnerable people are protected."

UPDATE

Speaking outside Ham Cross petrol station, Sarah Olney, said: "What I am seeing is there is a really big queue for petrol. This is quite disappointing to see. The Government has been clear that there is no problem with supply. It is just a delivery issue because of the HGV driver shortage that we know about.

"So I just want to say to all constituents, don't rush to the petrol stations because panic buying will cause a shortage.

"It's clear to me as well that the Government has really got to get to grips with the driver shortage urgently."

She added that the rush means that petrol supplies could run out in some locations 'leaving vulnerable people stranded'.