Finding cheap fuel within the North East has become an endless task for motorists – searching the region for a petrol station to fill up and save themselves a bit of money along the way.

Despite the fuel prices slowly falling across the UK, independent filling stations are undercutting big supermarket chains which has led to drivers switching their allegiances.

In County Durham, motorists feel like they have found a ‘hidden gem’ in the heart of the region after spotting petrol for as low as 149.9p and diesel as low as 169.9p.

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People that have visited G.W Holmes & Sons at the Etherley Moor Jet filling station in Bishop Auckland have been shocked – as they are claiming that it’s the cheapest fuel in the North East.

Throughout the last few months, the garage has hit headlines for offering fuel much cheaper than other competitors – with those that have used it travelling from miles around to get the amazing deal.

Meanwhile, competitors in Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe, Durham City, and Darlington have still been offering petrol at around 165p and diesel for 172p on average.

This puts the County Durham petrol station cheaper than Costco Gateshead's price of 151.9p for petrol and 173.7p for diesel.

The Northern Echo: Thepetrol prices in Bishop Auckland. Picture: G.W HOLMES & SONThepetrol prices in Bishop Auckland. Picture: G.W HOLMES & SON (Image: G.W HOLMES & SON)

News of the ‘cheapest fuel in the North East’ comes after reports that drivers are paying an extra £5 for a tank of petrol due to the fall in the value of the pound.

Pump price savings from the cost of oil dropping back to where it was before Russia invaded Ukraine are being “severely undermined” by the weakness of the sterling, the AA said.

The motoring organisation calculated that the price of petrol at UK forecourts would be “at least” 9p per litre cheaper if the pound had maintained its mid-February value of 1.35 US dollars, instead of this week’s level of 1.14 US dollars, which was a 37-year low.

Petrol averaged 164.8p per litre at the start of the week, down from 173.5p in mid-August.

AA fuel price spokesman Luke Bosdet said: “The influence of the exchange rate is often overlooked when drivers compare oil price movements with those at the pump.

“At the moment, it is critical. Oil and fuel on commodity markets are traded in dollars, which makes the weaker pound very bad news for motorists.

“The price of oil is back to the level at the start of the Ukraine war, but petrol is 15p a litre more expensive.

“Two-thirds of that higher cost is down to the weakness of the pound.”

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