HUNDREDS of jobs could be at risk in East Lancashire despite fuel supplies trickling back onto the forecourts.

Although the fuel blockades are over - just seven protesters remained in the one remaining active demonstration overnight, at BP's Grangemouth refinery in central Scotland - business leaders today said they feared some firms may not recover from the crisis.

The warning came after fuel shortages were blamed for redundancy notices being issued to workers at one of East Lancashire's oldest firms.

Although bosses at Roach Bridge Paper Mill at Samlesbury said it had taken the action as a precaution, fears are rising that other firms will have to shed jobs because of losses caused by the blockade.

The head of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 1,000 local employers, warned that today could be the crunch time for many employers.

"Today and the weekend could be the key time and businesses could start laying people off.

"People breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced that the blockades were being removed but the reality of the situation is that it may take some time to get back to normal."

Around 40 workers at Roach Bridge were issued with 90-day redundancy notices because of the impact of the rising costs of fuel and the blockade. The firm, which depends on fuel to run its boilers, said they hoped the notice could be lifted within the next few days.

"With the recent increases in price and the current uncertainty of continuous supply it was felt prudent to issue this early notice to employees," said managing director Gary Heap.

"With the news of the lifting of blockades at the oil terminals and the promise of regular supplies once again it is felt that the immediate threat to the business has receded and it is hoped the notice can be lifted within the next few days.

"The situation is under constant review and it is hoped that oil pricing is stabilised to ensure the long term future of the mill." Meanwhile a Blackburn councillor and petrol station owner today called an urgent meeting between council colleagues and the emergency services to limit the effect of further fuel blockades.

As fuel slowly filtered back into East Lancashire Coun Jan Virmani ordered a meeting to draw up contingency plans to protect police, fire, ambulance and health care workers.

Coun Virmani, who runs petrol stations in Shadsworth Road and Accrington Road, said that urgent plans needed to be drawn up to safeguard any future fuel crisis.

Police officers have been attending many filling stations to ensure that frustrated motorists do not breach the peace.

Insp Stephen Lee said: "We have had a police presence at service stations mainly because some motorists have been getting hot under the collar and we want to ensure that violence doesn't follow. We have had no incidents so far."

And police issued a plea to the public to stop ringing up asking where they can buy fuel. Officers have had up to 800 calls a day.