of thousands of lorry drivers. and that means we've got a shortage now of 100,000. that has already led to bare shelves in supermarkets and other stores, which people within the sector have warned are likely to get worse in the run—up to christmas. the haulage industry body logistics uk says the shortage is a very serious issue, but it has warned consumers against panic—buying fuel. that is a call echoed by the government, which says people should refuel as normal. it points out it has already taken steps to make training new hgv drivers quicker and easier. the fuel is there and it can continue to flow. i'm not saying there aren't pressures — there are. it's just we are making many, many changes and moving heaven and earth, if you like, to get people into driving hgvs. not all petrol retailers are affected by the current problems. morrisons, co—op and sainsbury�*s say their petrol stations are operating as normal. but the fact shortages are occurring at all has highlighted once again how supply chains in the uk are coming under intense strain. theo leggett, bbc news.