The cost of petrol has surged in and around Salisbury, with some places now at 190p per litre.

Nationally, drivers are being warned of "frightening" petrol prices, that exceeded an average of 180p in the country this week.

The average cost of a litre of petrol reached a record 177.9p on Sunday, up from 172.1p on May 27.

Today (Tuesday, June 7), the price of diesel ranged from 191.9p at Esso in Downton to 184.9p at BP on the A338 at Harnham.

The Texaco station on Christchurch Road, Ringwood, was selling petrol at an incredible 197.9p with diesel at 194.9p.

Lucy Sadler, who lives south of Salisbury, described the situation as "horrendous".

"We think about filling up now. It used to cost about £35, now it is more like £56 or £57.

"It is just horrendous. I have to think more about taking shorter journeys."

Bob Gedge, a Great Yarmouth man on holiday in Salisbury, said: "I do not drive, so the cost of petrol doesn't directly affect me, but it pushes up the prices of everything else.

"It is unavoidable really, because of the war, but that's not looking like it will finish anytime soon."

Alderbury resident Fiona Bugden said: "I do fewer journeys and try to get all my errands done in one run, rather than go again. It is quite a shock filling up."

Steve Wilson said they it hasn't affected him much as he is retired and does not take long car journeys, but he shared his view that petrol is "twenty times as much" in the UK than it is in the US, due to tax differences.

"I would support the windfall tax," he said.

Resident Molly Statton added that she is trying to drive "a lot less", but she lives on the outskirts of Salisbury and to get anywhere she needs to use a car.

"Filling up used to cost me about £50 to £60, and now it is £80," she said.

James Allan-Yates said: "It is what it is. My car is a 3-litre diesel, and it costs me £35 for an hour's driving when it used to cost me £20.

"It is all the people at the top, squeezing."

In March, the government cut fuel duty by 5p a litre for a year, but the RAC called for more help for motorists.

RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said: "More radical government intervention is urgently needed, whether that's in the form of a further reduction in fuel duty or a VAT cut." 

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