PRIME Minister Tony Blair cancelled a visit to Guiseley this week to return to London to deal with the national fuel crisis.

Mr Blair was due to visit Guiseley School on Tuesday afternoon to see a demonstration by talented technology pupils as part of his planned tour around West and South Yorkshire.

But a spokeswoman from the Government's Central Office of Information said Mr Blair was unable to attend due to the crisis.

Head teacher at Guiseley School, David Lowe, said: "I've spoken to Downing Street and they are very apologetic. But we understand the situation and we have been given the firm assurance that this particular programme will be reinstated.

"Obviously we are disappointed but Mr Blair has promised to return and none of our hard work will be wasted."

l CHAOS struck communities in Wharfedale, Aireborough and Horsforth this week as petrol pumps ran dry across the region.

Although Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged that the fuel crisis should begin to ease from today, local authorities, community organisations and businesses continue to make contingency plans as pumps across the area ran out of fuel.

Almost 60 cars wound back to High Royds Hospital, Menston while queuing to get petrol at the BP Station on Bradford Road, Guiseley, on Monday night. But by Tuesday morning, the pumps had run dry.

Pumps in Otley, Pool, Guiseley, Hall Park in Horsforth and Bramhope had all run dry by the end of Monday. No station in the area has any unleaded petrol or diesel left but there are no reports of any disturbances.

One of the 20 picketers lining the entrance to the TotalFinaElf depot at Hunslet in south Leeds was Martin Jefferies, director of Otley-based Jefferies Haulage. He said: "This firm has been around since 1932 and it's the bleakest time we've ever been through in terms of taxes.

"People support us and realise it's time something was done. But emergency services have not been kept out by protesters."

Panic buying has not just led to huge queues outside petrol stations, with the area's supermarkets packed with people buying in bulk.

Safeways at Otley also reported heavy business and one woman was stopped from buying 30 loaves of bread from Netto in Otley.

l Continued on P2.

Pictured left: Bramhope Shell garage out of fuel.