RURAL Dorset drivers have more misery at the pumps as what they pay is dictated by postcode, it is claimed.

Figures from the Countryside Alliance show the cheapest top-ups of diesel in rural areas cost more than in urban areas, with Purbeck faring worst.

The Alliance is calling for the rising prices to be tackled as it says despite people living in rural areas having to cover greater distance, smaller demand and less competition have led to a higher price of diesel.

Sir Barney White-Spunner, executive chairman of the Alliance who lives in Dorset, pictured below, said: “Not only do people living in rural areas have to drive further to go to work, further to access essential services like schools, doctors and the supermarket; but they have to pay a lot more for their diesel to do so.

“The cost of fuel is a major concern for everyone who lives in the countryside, and cars are fast becoming an unaffordable necessity for many families.

“We urge the Chancellor to help the rural economy get back on its feet and to cut fuel duty in his forthcoming budget.”

Yesterday, unleaded was priced at 137.9p and diesel was 147.9p per litre at Olds Garage in Broadmayne where James Old said: “The biggest problem in this country is huge taxes.

“You will always find regional differences when you’re travelling around but it is particularly annoying for someone like me who sells fuel. It’s upsetting when you see somewhere in a more built-up area where they’re selling it for less than we can buy it.

“People often think we’re the horrible ones, putting it up to make more profit, but a rise in prices is nothing to do with us. The prices are dictated to us by what we can buy fuel for – there is nothing we can do about it. We don’t make any more money from putting prices up – it simply reflects a rise in what we have to pay.”

A spokeswoman for Texaco in Wool, where unleaded was 137.9p and diesel 145.9p, said: “We are still selling fuel from an earlier delivery, so we can set the price according to what we paid for that.”

The Echo found that some Weymouth garages have the least expensive fuel prices in the area.

A spokesman for Morrisons, Dorchester Road, where unleaded is 135.9p and diesel 143.9p a litre, said: “Our head office decides the price that we sell fuel. There are regional differences depending on the amount of trade a station does. Even if you go to the store in Bridport, their price varies from ours.”

£6 A TANK MORE IN RURAL AREAS

THE Countryside Alliance selected 30 councils from those under the Government classification of ‘very rural’ and 30 from the classification ‘major urban’.

They used a price comparison website and found the cheapest price for a litre of diesel in rural areas costs 4p more than the cheapest in urban areas.

Dylan Sharpe, media officer for the Alliance said: “In urban areas, the cheapest prices are around 130p, whereas in rural areas it’s 144p.

“It may not sound like much, but a full tank can be £6 more.”

FUEL PRICES AT THE PUMPS

A selection of fuel prices in Dorset as of March 2:

Texaco, Wool (west side of crossing) – unleaded 137.9, diesel 145.9

Texaco (east side of the crossing) – unleaded 139.9, diesel 146.9

Rainbow Garage, Winfrith – unleaded 136.9, diesel 144.9

Olds, Broadmayne – unleaded 137.9 diesel 147.9

Tesco, Dorchester – unleaded 135.9, diesel 143.9

Tesco, Lanehouse, Weymouth – unleaded 136.9, diesel 143.9

Texaco, Wyke Regis – unleaded 135.9, diesel 143.9

Morrisons, Weymouth – unleaded 135.9 diesel 143.9

BP, Dorchester Road, Weymouth – unleaded, 136.9p diesel 144.9