BOLTON motorists were still facing an anxious wait to find out when fuel supplies would be restored -- despite the lifting of several blockades this morning.

Protesters at Stanlow Oil Refinery in Cheshire, where the revolt against high petrol prices started, called off their picket at 5.30am and others around the country began to follow suit.

Pickets at the giant terminal at Manchester's Trafford Park were due to vote today on whether to continue their action.

But there is little chance of an immediate end to the petrol crisis, with Bolton petrol stations confessing to having little idea when deliveries were likely to arrive.

A snap survey conducted by the BEN this morning revealed a picture still clouded by confusion. Chris Taylor, who runs the Beehive service station in Chorley New Road, Lostock, said: "I've been told to ring my suppliers this afternoon to see if they are taking any deliveries. It's a nightmare.

"We have no fuel and we're waiting to be told again when we will have some."

The Tesco petrol station in Mansell Way was expecting a delivery some time today but staff did not know when.

Police chiefs today warned fuel protesters that tough action would be taken to ensure supplies get to the town.

As fuel movements begin to increase in the region, following the end of blockades at the Stanlow Oil refinery, plans are in place to guarantee deliveries to North-west towns.

Police escorts are expected to marshal tanker convoys into Bolton as the huge exercise begins to replenish forecourt fuel tanks.

A police spokesman said: "The force is prepared to take a robust stance with offenders where there is a flagrant breach of the law. "The situation across the county is being constantly monitored to minimise, wherever possible, the disruption presently taking place. Everyone is asked to exercise patient during this difficult time."

The arrival of one of the first fuel consignments at the Mercury Service Station in Chequerbent -- for use by health workers and emergency staff only -- prompted huge jams this morning.

Police officers were called to the scene following reports of huge jams on the A6, with traffic snaking back to the junction of Bolton Road and Manchester Road.

Reports of the snarl-ups came at 6.55am as desperate motorists tried to fill up at the Mercury Service Station, which had received a delivery of unleaded fuel.

Elsewhere Swinton police are following up inquiries into reports that youths - who had siphoned fuel from cars -- then tried to sell the fuel to residents. Last night a resident on Coniston Road, Swinton, contacted the police claiming an eight-strong gang had called at his house, offering to sell him petrol which they admitted had been siphoned from cars. He refused to buy any. Meanwhile, the BP Safeway service station at Haslam Park had its first delivery for days at 8.30 this morning.

A queue of motorists desperate for petrol stretched to the town centre within minutes.

Staff were telling drivers that they would be only be selling to emergency workers. But taxi drivers, an AA patrol van and other motorists were all prepared to wait. Despite a list issued by the Government of stations due to get deliveries, several of the garages were still not sure when tankers would arrive. Staff at Morrisons in Chorley New Road say they were expecting a delivery yesterday which did not turn up. The Esso Radcliffe Road Garage franchise manager, Brian Jones, said the situation remained confused today and he did not know when to expect a delivery.

He said: "I am really beginning to suffer, and within two days I could seriously be looking at bankruptcy."

Ramsbottom man Steve Smith was offering 100 litres of diesel for sale on the Internet at £2.50 a litre - about three times the normal price.