Anger erupted yesterday as Keighley's petrol stations remained in the dark over when fuel supplies would reach the town.

One furious garage owner described the situation as "an absolute shambles" and he criticised the Government's handling of the crisis.

The Almar Fina station, in Hard Ings Road, was deluged with demands for petrol on Wednesday night after the Government published a list of sites nationwide -- including Almar -- which would be receiving emergency fuel supplies. But Alan Marr -- who owns the site and one in Halifax -- said yesterday morning that no deliveries had been made and he had no idea when any would be arriving.

He warns that despite the lifting of pickets yesterday at refineries around Britain, it could be weeks before the situation gets back to normal.

The Shell station, near to Almar, was open yesterday but only for emergency-classed services.

Mr Marr told says: "The Government produced a list of 3,000 sites which would be receiving emergency supplies, but on Wednesday afternoon it realised that wouldn't be possible and the list was cut to 250. Messages were broadcast unchanged and we had people here on Wednesday evening and yesterday morning demanding fuel.

"We as independent retailers are at the sharp end and I want the public to know the pressure we are under. More than 90 per cent of people in this trade are self-employed. We are being hurt by this." He says his staff have had to endure verbal abuse from some members of the public.

Meanwhile, yesterday a convoy of over 50 lorries, taxis and tractors travelled from Keighley to Bradford to protest at the high fuel prices.

The horn-blasting procession, displaying banners with such phrases as "We can't take no more," set off from Royd Ings Avenue at 7.30am and reached its destination some three hours later after a few laps of Bradford. Another fleet of vehicles started a convoy from Bradford's Bowling Back Lane and both processions met in Midland Road.

Bingley haulier Malcolm Bright, who was among those in the Keighley convoy, said: "We're not trying to upset anybody We're just telling people if somebody doesn't do something and listen to our plight we're going to go out of business."

The protesters also delivered 1,000 litres of diesel -- donated by the hauliers -- to Bradford Ambulance Station.

Afterwards, Mr Bright told the KN: "It's gone unbelievably. There's been a lot of public support with people out in their thousands.

"Everyone was coming out of office blocks, colleges and everywhere. Even fuel station owners were there saying we were doing the right thing."

Police, who monitored the protest, said it was without incident and caused minimum traffic disruption.

Keighley car owners are being asked not to go for petrol for the next few days unless it is "absolutely essential".

Fuel for the general public is expected to reach some local garages but police stress that there will not be enough for everyone and congestion is likely.

Supt Trevor Brading says: "We ask drivers to be patient and display tolerance, restraint and understanding in order to minimise disruption."

Fuel is also being delivered to other "designated" garages for people on the Home Office's priority list. Police will be on hand to tackle any trouble from other drivers.

Drivers who believe they have priority should check their names with Bradford council's Emergency Planning Office or their employer.