RESIDENTS in Barrhead have been given advice on storing petrol following threats of a fuel tanker driver strike and last week's panic buying. East Renfrewshire Council's trading standards team have issued a serious a safety points.

Steve Fox, principal trading standards officer, said: "Petrol is so dangerous that it is the only readily available consumer product that requires retailers to have a licence to store it. It is the duty of trading standards officers to ensure these requirements are adhered to and we want to inform the public of the following:" Petrol is corrosive � if stored incorrectly it can 'burn' through containers � if left on the skin can give a nasty chemical burn � petrol vaporises easily and it is the vapour that ignites � petrol vapour burns at concentration as low as 2% � it can damage clothing Don't 1. Store in unapproved containers 2. Store containers within the house 3. Keep containers in the car 4. Transfer petrol into anything other than the vehicle tank 5. Transfer petrol into the tank in an enclosed space Do 1. Use the 'stored' petrol as quickly as possible 2. Fully empty the container-any left may vaporise 3. Make sure that no petrol splashes onto skin or clothes 4. Wash hands and clothes if petrol splashes on them 5. Leave the container upside down outside after use so that any vapour dissipates.

All sides in the fuel tanker driver dispute are due to sit down today and start negotiations to stop a possible strike.

Members of the union Unite have voted to walk out over working conditions.

Last week many pumps ran dry after panic buying following government advice to keep tanks topped up.