A regional newspaper produced an interactive online map of petrol stations during the height of panic-buying which attracted 10,000 hits in a day.
The Shropshire Star produced the map to ensure a flow of information for drivers about which petrol stations had run dry.
It was updated continuously throughout the day and included information from over 50 petrol stations across Shropshire.
The map was a way of letting drivers know whether the stations in their area remained open, had stocks of petrol and diesel, whether there was any rationing in place and when the next delivery was expected.
Readers were also invited to leave comments or contact a dedicated Shropshire Star reporter to help ensure that the map was kept up-to-date with the latest information from pumps around the county.
How the Star's interactive map looked
Star editor Keith Harrison said: “The interactive map quickly became an important resource for readers across the county who were struggling to fill up their cars as panic-buying set in and fuel stocks ran low.
“We were also tweeting the latest situation and it was a great way of keeping our readers informed about a fast-changing story.
“We were delighted with the response and will now look to use the mapping technology again should the need arise.”
Shropshirestar.com showed a 23.2pc growth in the average number of daily unique users in the latest ABC figures.
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Good use of resources. Fine example of of a newspaper using technology to communicate with its readers.
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Although they would have performed a greater public service had they shown all petrol stations has run out, it might have prevented most of the half wits who stocked up when they don’t need it from causing a crisis in the first place.
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