London - A four-day strike over pay by some 600 fuel-tanker drivers in Britain ended Tuesday amid signs that the dispute was affecting supplies to about 100 petrol stations owned by the Shell oil giant.

Employers of two contractors supplying about 1,000 petrol stations across Britain were set to continue talks with trade unions to resolve the dispute Tuesday.

But if they fail, a fresh four-day stoppage has been threatened by unions from Friday.

While the government, and employers, maintained that the effect of the strike had been minimal, unions said about 100 stations ran out of fuel.

There are more than 10,000 petrol stations across Britain.

The strike is over a pay demand by employees of the two fuel- supply firms, who blocked supply to Shell stations from depots across Britain. (dpa)