As fuel runs dry at the pumps across the region Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who is responsible for jobs, business investment and skills said: "We could see this coming a mile off. The alarm bells have been ringing for months. But this government has cloth ears and seems to be incapable of horizon scanning.

"Over the weekend pumps across the West of England have run dry - that risks significant impact on local businesses.

"They are telling me this is the last thing they need as they try to recover from the pandemic. This is no way to run a country. The government needs to up its game."