DRIVERS were hit by an average price rise of over of 7p per litre for petrol last week as the cost of refuelling the a family car passed £100.

The cost of unleaded petrol reached a record 185.04p per litre on Sunday (June 12) with diesel costing 190.92p per litre, according to RAC Fuel Watch.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng ordered an "urgent" investigation into petrol station operators over the weekend amid concerns some are pocketing the 5p fuel duty cut introduced by the Chancellor in March.

In a letter to the Competition and Markets Authority, the Kwarteng wrote that people were "rightly frustrated" that the reduction had not stopped prices from soaring.

Read more: North East Tory & Labour MPs call for action on fuel prices

Last week two North East BP petrol stations at Washington Services and Barton Park Services, both on the A1(M), were seen charging over £2 per litre for fuel.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "This must surely put more pressure on the Government to take action to ensure drivers don't endure a summer of discontent at the pumps.

Read more: Fuel crisis: Why petrol and diesel is so expensive

"We hope the Government's persistent talk about the importance of retailers passing on March's 5p duty cut fully is a precursor to an announcement of a deeper cut this week.

"If that's the case, it's very welcome, albeit overdue as the 5p cut has been well and truly overtaken by events on the wholesale market since then."

Here is a list of the cheapest fuel prices in County Durham and Darlington (as of June 13), according to price comparison website PetrolPrices:

County Durham

  • Tesco Durham Extra – unleaded: 179.9p, diesel: 190.9p
  • Plawsworth Service Station, Chester-le-street – unleaded: 179.9p, diesel: 186.9p
  • GULF Bells Hill, West Rainton (A690) – unleaded: 179.9p, diesel: 187.9p
  • GULF Kaysburn, Witton Gilbert – unleaded: 179.9p, diesel: 189.9p
  • Sainsbury’s Durham, Arnison Retail Centre – unleaded: 180.9p, diesel: 189.9p

Darlington

  • ASDA Darlington Automat – unleaded: 177.7p, diesel: 186.7p
  • Sainsbury’s Darlington – unleaded: 178.9p, diesel: 189.9p
  • Morrisons Darlington, North Road – unleaded: 180.7p, diesel: 185.7p
  • Morrisons Morton Park – unleaded: 180.7p, diesel: 185.9p
  • Jet Newton Park Service Station – unleaded: 180.9p, diesel: 186.9p

Bishop Auckland

  • Cockton Hill Service Station – unleaded: 172.8p, diesel: 182.8p
  • Binchester Service Station – unleaded: 172.8p, diesel: 180.8p
  • ASDA Bishop Auckland Automat – unleaded: 175.7p, diesel: 184.7p
  • GULF Park Head Service Station – unleaded: 176.7p, diesel: 184.7p
  • TESCO Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 176.9p, diesel: 187.9p

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