The UK Government faced increasing criticism yesterday over its handling of the fuel drivers dispute amid signs of panic buying by motorists and a controversial call to fill up jerry cans with petrol.

Petrol station operators said the Government appeared “intent on creating a crisis” which could see forecourts run dry within days, as some garages start rationing fuel.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude landed himself in trouble after suggesting that drivers should fill up any spare jerry cans with petrol and keep them in garages even though motoring organisations and energy irms have urged people not to panic buy.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the advice should be withdrawn because of the threat of fire, warning it would “massively increase” fire and explosion risk.

The AA said it did not advocate drivers hoarding petrol at home or in their garages. Edmund King, AA president, said: “Petrol vapours can be volatile and can be a fire risk. Filling car fuel tanks from a jerry can is difficult and can lead to dangerous spillages. Transporting or storing too much petrol can also be illegal as there are strict regulations on keeping petrol for domestic use.”

Sales of petrol were up 45 per cent on a normal Tuesday, and sales of diesel up 20 per cent, in what appeared to be a sign of panic-buying by motorists, said Brian Madderson of the Retail Motor Industry Federation, which represents independent forecourt operators.

He called for the Government to show “cool heads” and top encouraging people to stockpile fuel at a time when supplies at petrol stations are anyway at a low.

Prime Minister David Cameron denied he was trying to “raise the temperature” in the dispute, telling a press conference in Downing Street that the Government was delivering a “very calm, very sensible” message but there was “absolutely no justification” for a strike.

He chaired a meeting of ministers to discuss contingency plans if a strike goes ahead.