MYSTERY car faults in Worcester may have been caused by contaminated fuel, say garage mechanics.

Today there are fears contaminated fuel may have reached garages in Worcestershire.

Thousands of motorists in the south of England have broken down after buying petrol from supermarket forecourts.

The cause of the problem is believed to be unleaded petrol from a certain supplier in West Thurrock, Essex.

Some motorists have been left paying hundreds of pounds to replace sensors in the exhaust pipes of their vehicles.

Nationally tests are being carried out on petrol samples as Trading Standards Institute tries to get to the bottom of the problem.

It is not yet clear if the fuel has reached Worcestershire.

John Taylor, managing director of the A44 Exhaust Shop in Bromyward Road, Worcester, said unexplained mechanical faults in two cars he has looked at could be down to contaminated fuel.

He added: "We have had a couple of cars with faults which aren't explained. Contaminated fuel could be causing problems. Nobody could find out why there was a fault because there was no physical reason."

David Connellan, a director at Worcester's Mobile Mechanics in Midland Road, Worcester, said he had not received any calls about the contaminated fuel as yet and problems seemed to be mainly in the south east.

He said: "We haven't had any cases but we do tend to get problems where people fill up at supermarkets. Supermarkets are not the best places to get fuel. It's sad but what can you do? If you're buying cheap something has to give. I always fill up at Texaco or BP garages. It is only affecting the more modern vehicles, those made from 2001 onwards."

Worcestershire County Council Trading Standards has received no reports of contaminated fuel in the area as yet.

Those who suspect they have bought contaminated fuel should call Consumer Direct on 08454040506.

HAVE you been affected by contaminated fuel? If so our newsdesk would like to hear from you. Call James Connell on 01905 742252 or email jsc@worcesternews.co.uk