EMERGENCY and public services swung into action with their contingency plans as the fuel crisis deepened around West Devon this week.

Inspector Nick Rogers of Tavistock Police Station said the force would deal with events as they unfolded.

He said: 'We have arrangements whereby we can draw fuel from garages who have kept it for the emergency services.

'Thereafter, if it escalates we would have to fill up from our depot in Plymouth.

'Short-term we are coping and we would like to reassure the public we are able to maintain normal service.'

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary issued advice to motorists, asking people to consider working from home, car-share, plan journeys and limit travel to essential trips.

Tavistock's fire chief Chris Neale said fire services were using similar arrangements to the police. Non-essential exercises are on hold to save fuel.

'Emergency calls will not be affected,' he stressed, but he issued a word of warning to householders storing petrol at home.

'Stockpiling in the garage could be a timebomb — petrol is extremely flammable. If you must store petrol, keep it in a proper petrol can,' he said.

Catherine Ferguson, spokesman for Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said: 'The ambulance service is continuing a normal service, both urgent and non-urgent.

'We have a very large depot at Derriford, but are continuing to use outside fuel as far as possible so we don't deplete our own stocks.'

A West Devon Borough Council spokesman said refuse collections would continue as normal as contractors have 'enough fuel for the foreseeable future.'

Swimming pool maintenance, street and toilet cleaning will be unaffected.

But visits by pest control and building control personnel may be delayed as visits are being 'pooled' to save fuel.