THE crisis brought more misery for motorists already reeling from the shock that fuel prices hit an all-time high this week, breaking the 140p barrier for unleaded.

A number of petrol stations in Dorset are charging several pence per litre more than the national average, including Spur End in Castle Lane East, pictured, at a whopping 148.9p per litre for unleaded.

Tanker drivers from the Unite union, who supply around 90 per cent of service stations, have voted to take strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions.

No dates have yet been announced but Downing Street increased pressure on motorists by advising them to have “contingency plans” and announcing that the Army is on standby to deliver fuel if the union takes strike action.

A spokesman for the AA said panic-buying will make the situation worse and added: “It is the height of irresponsibility for Downing Street to give the impression that people should be panic-buying. They should be using all their efforts to get a solution.”