Islanders are being warned not to panic buy fuel as it would make the shortage in the Uists and Barra worse.

Western Isles SNP MP Angus MacNeil has been assured by the main fuel distributor that the situation is under control.

Work has been required at Scottish Fuels' storage tanks at Lochcarnan on South Uist which supply the area. It follows an inspection by the Health and Safety Executive.

But Mr MacNeil said the company was trying to resolve the problem and were using road tankers from Stornoway. "They confirmed the tanks at Lochcarnan will be fixed by September 27. Scottish Fuels have assured me they can cope as long as people buy normal amounts of fuel," he said.