A KIDDERMINSTER petrol station which opened late for NHS staff to help them buy fuel amid panic-buying mayhem defended the move on social media following criticism.

Bosses at Chaddesley Fuel Station & Shop decided to open for an extra 90 minutes on Saturday to help health workers fill up on petrol and diesel.

However, after posting about the gesture on Facebook, some questioned whether it was unfair that "everyday customers" were being left out.

The Chaddesley Road station posted on Facebook saying: "The garage will be staying open later this evening for NHS Staff only. From 9-10.30pm.

"You will need your NHS photo ID card before filling up. Thank you."

Responding to the post, one social media user said: "What about your everyday customers."

Another said: "What about community carers or breakdown vehicles who recovery or fix the tankers that breakdown."

Another added: "Is that fair, people need fuel to get to there even day jobs. To keep the roof over their head. How about you stop letting people fill up and only allow a certain amount then every body can get fuel and I know you can do that as I've worked in fuel stations. Its not just the NHS that need to get to work."

Another commented: "Some of us are private carers who actually take the pressure of NHS but we don't have ID but none the less essential working with very vulnerable people in the community often in areas others won't go. I appreciate what you are doing l really do but we are extremely essential too."

In response to the criticism, Chaddesley Fuel Station & Shop posted later saying: "WE DO APPRECIATE ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND ARE OPEN AS USUAL FOR EVERYONE. THE EXTRA HOUR OR SO THIS EVENING IS FOR NHS, EMERGENCY SERVICES, CARE WORKERS WITH ID BADGES.

"I’m sorry we can’t accommodate everyone during these later hours."

The petrol station also received praise from members of the public for supporting NHS workers.

One social media user said: "Thank you so much for doing this. Really helped me out and made sure I could get to work at the children’s hospital tomorrow."

Another said: This is a relief for me. Thank you for the kind gesture

Another added: "Well done in supporting our emergency and front line care workers."