Drivers in rural parts of Shropshire are among some of the worst hit in the country by ongoing fuel hikes, a report revealed today.

Fuel watchers for the AA have revealed petrol prices across the country continue to rise to record highs with drivers in south Shropshire among those hit hardest. The AA’s Fuel Price Report for April found average UK petrol prices had now reached 120.53p a litre, up 4.44p on mid-March’s average of 116.09p.

Since mid-March, the average price of diesel in the British Isles has risen from 116.87p a litre to 121.56p adding £2.35 to the cost of filling an average tank.

But filling stations within a 20-mile radius of Ludlow including Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Bishop’s Castle and Much Wenlock are reporting average prices about 2p a litre above the norm, with 122.2p per litre for unleaded and 123.0p for diesel.

The AA today said this has added more than £2 to the cost of filling a typical 50-litre fuel tank and raised the monthly petrol cost for a family with two cars by more than £9.

The same family, who at the beginning of the year was spending £233.32 a month on fuel, now has to find £255.93.

Edmund King, president of AA, said: “The debilitating impact of higher fuel prices, hitting 18 to 24-year-olds hardest, has been picked up in some election manifestos with the announcement of consultation on a fuel stabiliser.

“A commitment to help rural communities in one looks to support post offices and pubs, but no mention of petrol stations.

“Retailers in some areas are reporting fuel sales down 20 per cent and that means less tax for the Treasury, less vibrant business and more discontent among motor voters.”

Across the whole of Shropshire, the price for a litre of unleaded varied from 117.9p to 128.9p at more than 100 filling stations using www.petrolprices.com

By Jason Lavan