Hundreds of petrol station shops are removing alcohol from sale after being taken over by a Muslim-owned company.

The outlets are part of the fast growing Euro Garages, which has 350 petrol stations across the country.

The business is worth £1.3billion and has embarked on an aggressive expansion plan which involves buying petrol stations previously run by the likes of BP, Esso and Shell.

The petrol stations are part of the fast growing Euro Garages, which has 350 outlets across the country (stock image)

The new owners, who are one of Britain’s most successful Muslim families, have subsequently taken out displays selling wine, beer and spirits.

There have been suggestions the ban was imposed for religious reasons, however the company said it did not think it was ethical to sell drink to people who are driving.

There was an outcry three years ago when the government changed the rules to allow motorway service stations to open their own pubs.

The move was condemned by organisations campaigning against drink driving and health experts.

Euro Garages has a partnership with a several household name brands, including Spar, Greggs, Burger King, Subway and Starbucks.

It was founded by brothers, Zuber Issa and Mohsin Issa in 2001 with a single petrol filling station in Bury, Greater Manchester.

The decision to ban drink from the outlets is inevitably costing the family a considerable amount in terms of sales and profit, however it has not stalled their success.

The Issa brothers from Blackburn, who are the sons of immigrants, have built a hugely profitable business.

Removed: The new owners have subsequently taken out displays selling wine, beer and spirits (stock image)

Just 15 years ago they were working in a petrol station in Halifax, doing the stock-taking and cleaning the toilets among other things.

They took a lease on a local garage with their combined savings of £5,000 and today they control a business with an estimated value of some £1.3billion.

According to its latest set of accounts, Euro Garages posted a total turnover of £815.6m in the year to 31 July 2015, up by 26 per cent on the prior year.

Fuel sales contributed £674.3m, while shop and fast food sales generated £141.4m.

Euro Garages has 350 forecourts all with Spar convenience stores. There are also 113 Subways; 56 Starbucks; 56 Greggs; and five Burger Kings.