TEXACO has confirmed an investigation is being carried out at its Wellington filling station after drivers claim a fuelling issue left their vehicles “coughing and spluttering” once they left the forecourt.

A number of people have contacted the Wellington Weekly News to share their frustration with some alleging to have been left with hefty bills to have their petrol tanks pumped on Monday, November 25.

A spokesman for Texaco, which placed yellow ‘out of use’ signs on a number of affected pumps, has confirmed a probe is now underway after an issues was identified at its garage on Longforth Road.

Pat Bennett, who lives off the A38 outside of Wellington, was among those affect who said: “On Monday, November 25, at approximately 2.30pm, I filled my car with petrol from pump seven and a mile down the road, the car began coughing and spluttering and I limped home.

“AA has been out and they think it's water in the fuel. I have contacted a company to come and drain my tank at a cost of over £200.”

Neve Collins, who also lives in Wellington, also put petrol in her car from the same filling station on the same day. Said: “A mile down the road my car completely shut down. I called the RAC out who said ‘it’s to do with your fuel’.

“We’re going to have to get the system flushed out.”

Another person, who asked to remain anonymous, said around £50 of petrol was put in his car before being quoted around £170 for repairs from one company.

The petrol station marked affected pumps as out of use after issues were raised by customers earlier in the day.

The affected unleaded petrol pumps, one, two, seven and eight, remained out of service on the morning of Thursday, November 28, while all diesel pumps were still in service.

A Texaco spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of an issue regarding the Longforth Road Service Station.

“This has been raised with the independent retailer that owns and operates the site, who are undertaking an investigation.”