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

Despite the fuel prices become ng varied across the country, and that includes the North East, 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 145.9p and diesel as low as 169.9p.

Read more: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ignores Northern Echo knife crime campaign

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. 

Over the weekend, the fuel fell from 149.9p to 145.9p, while the likes of Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's were selling unleaded petrol for 162p and diesel for 175.9p respectively. 

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 supermarkets putting the prices up.

It also comes as the extra cost of diesel compared to petrol has reached a new high of nearly 25p per litre.

Latest Government figures show the average price of a litre of diesel is 188.9p.

That is 24.5p more expensive than petrol, which stands at 164.4p per litre.

Analysis by the PA news agency found this is the largest price difference in records dating back to June 2003.

Diesel has typically cost around 5p per litre more than petrol since then.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, warned that diesel could become even more expensive in the short-term.

He said: “The situation for diesel drivers is grim and unlikely to improve in the weeks ahead. In fact, it could deteriorate.

“Already, drivers of average-sized diesel cars are paying around £105 every time they fill up, about £14 more than those people with similar-sized petrol cars at the neighbouring pump.”

Read next:

 

 

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here