Hitchin MP Bim Afolami has urged people not to panic buy after long queues formed at petrol stations in our town earlier today, [Friday, September 24]

The move comes after Hitchin Nub News reported on long queues outside the Shell garage on Bedford Road, among other garages in our area on Friday.

Despite the government and the AA appealing for rational fuel buying from motorists, insisting there is not a fuel shortage, drivers in North Herts and elsewhere opted to fill their cars in higher than usual numbers on Friday morning.

However, Hitchin's parliamentarian Mr Afolami, called on people to remain calm.

"I know the Government is very aware of the global supply chain issues impacting the fuel industry at the moment, and in particular the movement of fuel," Mr Afolami told Nub News.

"Ministerial colleagues are working to ensure that this short term shock - which is only impacting a small number of petrol stations - can be ridden out with minimal disruption.

"The UK has plenty of petrol, and fuel will continue to flow. There is no need for anyone to panic buy."