Petrol price plummets by a hefty 34p a litre

FUEL prices in Derbyshire have fallen by more than a quarter in the last six months, figures have revealed.

Unleaded petrol is now 34 pence per litre cheaper than it was at the height of the fuel price hike in the summer.

And figures also show that the cost of diesel is down by 33 pence per litre.

However, the AA said motorists should enjoy the lower fuel prices because it was difficult to predict how long they would last.

Spokesman Luke Bosdet said: "There are two factors that will affect what happens in the coming months. Historically, fuel prices tend to rise in the spring when more of the American public get in their cars and start driving more.

"However, the recession will work against that and help push prices down. It is difficult to predict but we are telling people to enjoy the current low prices because there is no guarantee that they will last."

During the summer, unleaded petrol in Derby was at a high of 116.9 pence a litre and diesel was at 127.9 pence a litre.

The most expensive spot then for fuel was the WR Filling Station, at Ashbourne Road, in Mackworth.

However, that station is now selling unleaded at 93 pence per litre and diesel at 104 pence per litre.

The lowest price today for unleaded petrol in the county is 82.9 pence a litre. Tesco filling stations in Derby are selling at that price, as is the Sainsbury's store in Ripley and several Shell garages, including the one on the A52 at Ockbrook.

The lowest diesel price is 94.9 pence a litre.

Mr Bosdet said the worldwide recession had led to falling demand for crude oil, sparking off the reduction in fuel prices.

He said another factor had been the aggressive competition between supermarkets and other outlets.

"When a supermarket like Tesco reduces its prices, this has an impact because it is such a big retailer."

A spokesman for the Petrol Retailers' Association said: "People tend to use their cars a lot more during the summer, so that could push prices up. However, with the current economic situation we're not sure what will happen."