The AA warned motorists last night that they face a “winter of misery” as petrol prices rose to their highest levels.

Unleaded petrol reached an average of 98.57p per litre, exceeding last year’s record of 98.54p. Diesel is also at a record price of 101.29p.


Hundreds of petrol stations across the UK are charging more than £1 a litre and the AA said that motorists were spending £8.6 million more each day than in February, when fuel prices started to climb.

The motoring organisation added that the average cost of unleaded petrol could pass the symbolic £1 a litre mark within weeks, given the spiralling price of crude oil.