Trevor Hockey of Trev’s Motorcycles, in the Vale, mans the pumps. He has echoed comments made by the GMTA which has said there is no need for local motorists to stockpile following the recent fuel strikes at the Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0570469)

ISLANDERS are being assured there is no need to panic-buy fuel, despite potential shortages in the UK. Workers at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland are due to start a two-day strike tomorrow and some garages in the UK were limiting customers to £20-worth of fuel a time to conserve stocks.

The dispute between the workers  and plant owner Ineos centres on changing pension arrangements for new staff and it is believed that any strike could cost the UK economy £50m. a day.  Government ministers have said that there are ample stocks of petrol and diesel to last if the refinery closes and local industry professionals agree.

Trevor Hockey, owner of Trev’s Motorcycles, said the situation shouldn’t affect Guernsey at all. ‘We don’t need to hoard petrol and we don’t need to panic-buy,’ he said.