DORSET Police has been asking some petrol stations to temporarily close amid chaotic scenes on local roads.

The action came as the police warned against panic buying.

They did not ask for a blanket closure of petrol stations across the county.

Chief Inspector Nick Maton said: “There is no disruption to the fuel supply in the UK and members of the public should not panic buy.

“The actions of some motorists in queuing irresponsibly at petrol stations is causing danger to other road users.

“Police are taking action, requesting petrol stations to close temporarily in order to keep traffic flowing.

“Once the queues have dispersed, the petrol stations may re-open for short periods.”

The force acted to correct reports on Sky News that all petrol stations in the county had been asked to temporarily close.

A statement said: "To clarify, Dorset Police is not closing all petrol stations in the county.

“Dorset Police will only be requesting the closure of the petrol stations worst affected by congestion in order to keep traffic flowing.

"Requests of this nature will be made direct from Dorset Police officers to designated petrol stations where necessary."

Lengthy queues have been reported in Poole along Blandford Road, Hamworthy; Poole Road, Branksome; Longfleet Road, Sandbanks Road, Ringwood Road and Alder Road.

At Alder Road, Sanbanks Road and Blandford Road, the queues for petrol are being compounded by roadworks.

Tempers are boiling over in places, as drivers not queuing for petrol are caught up in the madness.

Motorist Jack Parsons said: “I’ve been stuck in a lengthy queue for petrol at Tower Park, Tesco. So much for not panic buying.”

Forecourts which closed temporarily included Texaco, Blandford Road, Hamworthy, to allow traffic to subside.

There have also been reports of traffic queueing on Wareham Road in Corfe Mullen, the A35 at Bere Regis, the A351 Sandford Road, Leigh Road in Wimborne and Somerford Road in Christchurch