Peasants ignited by vodka shortage. Riots are feared in Russia after a new law forced vodka distilleries to halt production.

The new regulations, which were instigated on January 1, stipulate that every distillery must have computerised equipment for measuring alcohol levels, a move which caught the big distilleries by surprise and brought nationwide production to a standstill.

After more than two weeks of no vodka, even respected newspapers such as the economic journal Vedomosti have started to print panicky front-page headlines, such as 'The vodka is running out!'

Analysts predict trouble as shops begin to run out of the national tipple, with some commentators fearing a revolution as more and more Russians turn to violence on discovering empty supermarket shelves.