UNLEADED petrol was withdrawn from sale at Morrisons forecourts across Suffolk and Essex tonight amid fears they had supplied contaminated fuel.The supermarket chain's petrol stations in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Beccles, Lowestoft, Clacton and Harwich were among those affected by the move.

UNLEADED petrol was withdrawn from sale at Morrisons forecourts across Suffolk and Essex tonight amid fears they had supplied contaminated fuel.

The supermarket chain's petrol stations in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Beccles, Lowestoft, Clacton and Harwich were among those affected by the move.

A spokesman for Morrisons said the “precaution” was likely to remain in place until Monday.

Unleaded fuel tanks at Tesco petrol stations throughout the south east, including Suffolk and Essex, were also being emptied and refilled with new fuel today.

The supermarket giant said it was taking the “precautionary measure” at all forecourts supplied by The Royal Vopak depot in West Thurrock, which is at the centre of the investigation into where the contaminated fuel came from.

Trading standards tonight confirmed traces of silicone had been found in petrol taken from some stricken cars.

Experts fear the contaminant is damaging delicate oxygen sensors - causing engine management systems to switch to emergency settings.