A PERSONAL trainer who specialises in stroke rehabilitation is urging people not to panic buy fuel.

Lead trainer at JK House Training House, Kieron Franklin, 39, supports many people across Dorset who have suffered a stroke or brain injury.

However, fuel panic-buying across the county has prevented Kieron and his fellow personal trainers travelling to clients’ homes.

Kieron said: “Please stop panic buying. The main part of stroke rehabilitation is repetition, repetition and repetition (of exercises). We cover quite a large area of Dorset, so fuel is essential for us.

“I keep thinking ‘what if I run out of fuel?’

“It is essential clients keep up with their exercises. Clients we couldn’t get to this week have missed out because we don’t have the fuel.

“Luckily, I could get fuel on September 30, but some of our clients have panicked because of the situation.”

On Friday, September 24, it was reported that there were queues at the Co-op in Castle Lane West and also at the Co-op petrol station in Holdenhurst Road.

Other petrol stations across the county also had large queues and some stations were closed.

Kieron said: “If the panic-buying of fuel eases, then everything will be fine.

“When we’ve filled up we have seen that some people are putting only £10 in their tank, while we are driving to petrol stations on fumes.

“Panic-buying started to affect us last Friday and since then, we have had to move clients, and I am now seeing five at the weekend.

“In the past few days we have tried to do it all online, but it’s difficult as it’s very hands-on work and every second sounds.

“When you don’t understand what you’re doing because of your brain injury, it can be tough not having someone there with you.

“It is crucial clients keep up with the training. Being on their own really affects them as they don’t have anybody there, it is damaging them."