Average petrol prices at the pumps have fallen but some drivers are paying up to 5p more a litre than others, the AA said today.

The average price of a litre of petrol has fallen from 108.74p in mid November to 108.32p now, with diesel prices dipping from 110.02p to 109.86p.

However, the AA reported that while some drivers are paying only 103.9p a litre for petrol at some supermarkets, others are having to fork out as much as 108.9p a litre at other outlets.

• How much are you paying? Tell us in the comment box below

Today Mark Bradshaw, from Shifnal-based Garage Watch magazine, said the discrepancies were largely down to competition and the cost of getting supplies.

He said: “If there’s a supermarket in an area that’s particularly cheap, you can expect others to fall in line so that prices are generally low. The cost can also be dependant on the nearness to a refinery.”

The AA said some retailers had delayed passing on a dip in the wholesale price of petrol.

AA president Edmund King said: “Up until now, fuel retailers have been largely blameless for higher fuel prices – leaving that dubious honour to Government fuel duty and stock market speculators.

“Drivers can’t expect to pay 103.9p a litre for petrol in every town, but being charged as much as 5p a litre more at the cheapest outlet in a substantially built-up area well served by supermarkets is a rip-off.”