Supermarkets in Ilkley reported mass panic in the aisles this week as fuel shortage fever gripped the town.

Worried residents began stripping the shelves of milk and bread and supplies ran out at both major supermarkets.

Booths marketing manager Chris Dee reported massive sales and said it was like Christmas or Easter. "People are buying in bulk and we've sold an awful lot in the last couple of days," he said.

"But there are no real problems with deliveries so stocks can be replenished. We have got our own supply of diesel and are delivering as usual at the moment. But if the situation gets worse that could change."

And a spokesman for Tesco, on Springs Lane, said the store had been chaotic. "Tuesday was an incredibly busy day as people were buying anything - it was pandemonium," she said. "We sold lots of milk and bread and perishables.

"Luckily, deliveries haven't been affected at all so far. We have enough fuel to last a week."

The bus service between Ilkley and Leeds was expected to be dramatically reduced this evening if the fuel situation hadn't improved.

A spokesman for First Leeds said yesterday that all services were operating as normal but the situation would be reviewed on Thursday at 6.30pm.

"We may then have to start running a skeleton service to conserve fuel," he said.

Trains running to and from Ilkley managed to maintain a normal service throughout the week, despite a dramatic increase in passengers.

A spokesman for Northern Spirit said yesterday: "A lot of people have turned from road to rail but we have had no major problems as yet."

"There have been slight delays but this was due to an unrelated problem with a failed unit at Ilkley station."

But taxi firms in the town were crippled, with most turning on the answer phone and sending their drivers home.

"All we are doing is fulfilling contract work getting disabled children to and from school," said Simon Stevinson, owner of A1 Allied Taxis, on Manley Road.

"Other than that we can't pick up any fares at all so we are losing a lot of money. I have mixed feelings about the blockades really. Something has to be done about fuel prices but I'm not sure this is the right way."

Local voluntary groups in the town also said they were coping with the crisis. Sue Watkins, spokesman for Ilkley Council for Voluntary Service, said the organisation hadn't had any problems yet. "One local social club did cancel its outing on Wednesday morning in case the fuel in the mini-bus was needed for an emergency. But we still have some fuel."

But it was business as usual for the Meals on Wheels service in the town. Organiser Adrianne Kerr, said there had been no problems so far.

"We are reviewing the situation on a daily basis and I have just been speaking to drivers to ensure they have enough fuel for deliveries on Thursday and Friday.

"People are getting their meals as usual. What will happen on Monday, I don't know," she added.

In Addingham the fuel shortage meant business was booming for postmaster Andrew Dufton. He said: "More people than ever have been using the village post office instead of travelling to Ilkley. For small businesses it has been quite good."

He said there had been no problems with mail reaching the village so far. "But Royal Mail have said in the next couple of days there will be problems when fuel runs out. I'm sure it won't be too long before people are affected."

Ilkley postmaster Mike Bramley said services were unaffected but were likely to be disrupted in the next few days.