Motorists breathed a sigh of relief this week when a 5p cut to fuel duty was extended for another 12 months.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an extension to the cut announced last year after warnings motorists could face a big jump in prices if the duty cut was scrapped.

But prices are still much higher than where they were more than 12 months ago, with motorists still shelling out more at the pumps.

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The average price of a litre of petrol was 147.3p per litre on Wednesday (March 15) according to figures from motoring organisation the RAC.

And drivers with diesel vehicles could expect to pay an average price of 165.9p.

Reacting to the duty extension RAC Head of Roads Policy Nicholas Lyes said: “We welcome the Government’s decision to keep the 5p fuel duty cut in place for another 12 months.

“The cut has given drivers some much-needed relief in what has been the most torrid year ever at the pumps, with price records being broken even after duty was cut.

“Given the importance of driving for consumers and businesses, duty should be kept low to help fight inflation.”

Meanwhile the Echo revealed the most expensive brands in the region for to top up the tank.

Here is a list of all the cheapest fuel prices in County Durham, Darlington and Teesside (as of March 17), according to price comparison website PetrolPrices:

Durham

  • Tesco Durham Extra  – unleaded: 140.9p, diesel: 160.9p
  • Sainsbury’s Durham Arnison – unleaded: 141.9p, diesel: 160.9p
  • BP Frederick Street – unleaded: 142.9p, diesel: 162.9p
  • BP Alma Place, Dragonville – unleaded: 144.9p, diesel: 161.9p
  • SHELL A690 Nevilles Cross Bank – unleaded: 145.9p, diesel: 162.9p

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Darlington

  • Morrisons North Road  – unleaded: 143.7p, diesel: 164.7p
  • ASDA Darlington Automat – unleaded: 143.7p, diesel: 163.7p
  • Sainsbury’s Darlington – unleaded: 143.9p, diesel: 163.9p
  • Morrisons Morton Park  – unleaded: 144.7p, diesel: 164.7p
  • BP High Northgate – unleaded: 144.9p, diesel: 164.9p

Bishop Auckland

  • Cockton Hill Service Station – unleaded: 136.8p, diesel: 154.8p
  • Sainsbury’s Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 136.9p, diesel: 153.9p
  • Morrisons Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 137.7p, diesel: 154.7p
  • ASDA Bishop Auckland Automat – unleaded: 137.7p, diesel: 154.7p
  • JET Etherly Moor – unleaded: 137.7p, diesel: 154.7p

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Middlesbrough

  • BP North Ormesby Bypass – unleaded: 139.9p, diesel: 161.9p
  • ASDA Stockton Automat – unleaded: 140.7p, diesel: 161.7p
  • Morrisons Stockton  – unleaded: 140.7p, diesel: 162.7p
  • TESCO Billingham – unleaded: 140.9p, diesel: 161.9p
  • ASDA Middlesbrough – unleaded: 141.7p, diesel: 160.7p