Drivers and garages hit by soaring prices

Soaring petrol prices are hitting Shropshire motorists, with some having to pay as much as £1.30 for a litre of fuel.

Businesses across the region said they were making no profit, or as little as 1p per litre, as they try to compete with supermarket prices.

Amanda Lees, owner of Minsterley Garage, near Shrewsbury, said on card transactions the garage was not making any money because of transaction fees and only 1p per litre when people paid cash.

Similar stories were being told across Shropshire and Mid Wales, where forecourt station managers said customers were unhappy.

Nick Evans, forecourt manager at Stans Petrol Station in St Martins, near Oswestry, said motorists were shopping around for the cheapest prices.

He said: "Unleaded is 116.9 and diesel 118.9 at our garage so we are one of the cheapest in our catchment area. We haven't seen a decrease in trade but people have commented about the increase in price. I think people are shopping around a bit more for fuel."

Murco in Bridgnorth Road, Madeley, was charging 130.9p for super unleaded fuel today. And petrol and diesel prices at Harry Tuffins, which has filling stations across south Shropshire and Powys, are currently at 119.9p per litre.

Managing director Paul Delves said: "It is just a nightmare at the moment trying to keep up with it really. The prices are still increasing to us every day.

"It affects everyone, especially in this area where people have got to use their cars. Public transport is limited."