Supermarket Safeway today backtracked after motorcyclists were forced to pay in advance before filling up with petrol.

Lee Penney, 46, who works on Canvey but lives in Chelmsford, has used the station regularly for the past year, but was shocked to be told bikers had to pay up before using the pumps.

An attendant said the move was necessary because several bikers had left without paying.

However, a Safeway spokesman said today: "This won't be happening anymore. It was just a misunderstanding and we apologise."

Published Friday July 9, 2004

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