SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons is to open liquefied petroleum gas filling stations at all its new stores and expand current sites to take LPG in one of the highest profile boosts yet for the fuel.

The deal was announced just a week after Calor Autogas launched a joint venture with Shell to open 200 LPG forecourts nationwide over the next 18 months, in a move which opens a new chapter in the future of the alternative fuel industry. Already BP has committed to opening about 100 sites throughout the country, adding to a growing 'green' network for drivers.

Paul Hardwick, sales development manager for Calor Autogas, said: 'This shows the level of confidence companies now have in the future of gaseous fuels.'

At present, three sites have been launched, with the latest opening in the next few weeks, while there should be 13 open this year, with a target of 35 by the end of 2001. Morrisons has a network of 102 supermarkets, of which 78 have petrol filling stations.