Journalists in the South West put Government guidelines to the test – butwere promptly told ‘Sorry, there’s fuel, but not for you’.

Despite newspapers being deemed one of the categories on the Government-approved list for priority services, reporters at the Bristol Evening Postwere unable to secure any fuel.

The Department for Trade and Industry issued the list of priority categoriesfor people to obtain fuel at specially-designated sites.

The Evening Post went to one of the sites on the list – a Tesco garage atEastville – and were refused any petrol by a security guard.

The Reliance Security employee said the fuel was for emergency servicesonly.

The Post’s Jon Lockett said: “We showed the guard the DTi letter outlining the categories and sites,accompany identity card and a letter from Evening Post Assistant Editor RobStokes.

“We were still turned away.

“After failing to get fuel at Tesco, we drove around looking for furthergarages with fuel for ‘essential services’.

“When we arrived at the Sainsbury’s in Filton, a member of staff apologisedand said fuel levels were so low they were only supplying to those who cameunder the first seven categories.

“Unfortunately, the category which includes newspapers and other media wasonly number 14 on the DTi list.”

Justin Reed, spokesman for Reliance Security, said the security guard wasacting on the instructions of Tesco management.

He said: “The security guard was told that they are only allowed to supplythe emergency services.”

Russell Craig, a spokesman for Tesco, said: “I’m sorry but it has been avery confusing time and our staff are working as hard as they can to cope.

“There are occasionally going to be mistakes made and we can only apologiseif this turns out to be the case here.”

Gail Stevens, spokeswoman for the DTi, said: “It is down to the peoplemanning the pumps to decide how much petrol there is.

“We realise everyone would like to get hold of fuel but it’s for the peopleon the ground to make a judgement.”

There were similar problems at the Bath Chronicle.

Head of News Paul Wiltshire said: “One of our photojournalists tried to getpetrol and was told by the police officer on patrol to go away.

“We were told to return at midday – only to be turned away again. At 2pm wewere finally allowed to fill up.

“It’s fair to say they seemed to have no idea what was going on.”

Evening Post Editor Mike Lowe said: “It seems strange to me that despiteguidelines being laid down at a national level, those at a local level aredeciding who can or can’t receive fuel.

“Is it just me or do others believe this will lead to problems in the future?”

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