Further warnings urging motorists not to panic-buy were issued today on the eve of a planned strike at a giant oil refinery.

It is feared the walkout by 1,200 workers at the Grangemouth site in Scotland could hit fuel supplies, potentially causing disruption to services across the country.

Motoring experts said the industrial action, being taken in a bitter dispute over pensions, was likely to have an effect on the pumps and lead to fuel rationing.

Drivers have been urged not to potentially exacerbate the situation by filling up their tanks unnecessarily.

The 1,700-acre site in Scotland, the main fuel supplier north of the border, was shut down by owner Ineos yesterday, as it prepared for the 48-hour strike.

Oil giant BP has also made preparations to close down the Forties pipeline which delivers 30 per cent of the UK's daily oil output.

It has been warned that closing the pipeline could cost an estimated £50 million a day in lost production - with the Treasury taking half that hit.

The company is expected to confirm today if the pipeline will close completely.

Over the last week the Government has sought to assure the public that the country has enough fuel to cope with the strike.

Despite this, there have already been reports of shortages and queues at some forecourts.

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