UK military drivers on standby

Britain's army has been put on standby to deliver fuel as panic buying worsened a supply crisis, sending prices to an eight-year high.

Announcing the move late on Monday, the government said a "limited number" of military tanker drivers were ready to be deployed if needed.

"While the fuel industry expects demand will return to its normal levels in the coming days, it's right that we take this sensible, precautionary step," Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said in a statement, .

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) had earlier warned that up to 90 percent of petrol pumps were running dry in some areas of the United Kingdom due to supply chain issues, which were caused by a shortage of truck drivers. The PRA represents independent fuel retailers, who account for 65 percent of all UK forecourts.

Government ministers, fuel companies and petrol stations say there are sufficient supplies of fuel but that the lack of truckers, combined with the rush to fill up cars and jerry cans, has drained the system.

Long lines of vehicles have formed at many filling stations around the UK since Friday, causing spillover traffic jams on busy roads. Tempers have frayed as some drivers waited for hours, with sporadic fights breaking out.–