Thamesport on the Isle of Grain (file picture)

A gas tanker from Qatar has arrived at a Kent port to top up dwindling supplies as the cold weather continues to deplete reserves.

The 1,100ft vessel docked at Thamesport on the Isle of Grain, the UK's third largest container port.

The tanker, called Mekaines, arrived yesterday morning carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG).

It and another vessel due to dock in Wales today hold enough gas to power Britain for 12 hours.

Their arrival comes amid a fuel crisis that has seen Britain's electricity and gas stocks plummet to 10% of capacity because of increased demand for heating.

A third Qatari tanker is due to arrive in Britain on Friday and another will set sail from Trinidad at the weekend.

Energy minister John Hayes said the gas market is "proving to be highly responsive to the UK's needs".

He moved to reassure people there is no danger of shortages and added the National Grid and the energy regulator are monitoring the situation.

Last week, the government denied the UK was on the brink of running out of gas.

It was reported there were only two days' worth of gas left in reserve as a result of the unusually cold weather.