IS the £1 litre of petrol on its way back?

After last week’s 2p fuel duty increase and with the Easter weekend looming, motorists are facing the psychological price landmark once more.

At the weekend petrol stations around Bournemouth and Poole were precariously close to the £1 litre for unleaded and most had already breached the boundary for a litre of diesel.

At the Texaco in Springbourne, petrol was 98.9p and diesel 101.9p, while the Murco at Southbourne Grove was 96.9p and 103.9p.

In Purbeck, Holton Heath Garage was 99.9p for petrol and Texaco at Swanage was 98.9p.

The average price nationwide, according to petrolprices.com, is currently 94.9p for petrol and 101p for diesel.

Cheaper stations include Tesco at Branksome and Asda at Canford Heath, both charging 91.9p for petrol and 98.9p for diesel, and Tesco at Fleetsbridge at 90.9p for unleaded.

Speaking to the Daily Echo on Sunday, AA president Edmund King said: “I think the thing that will make it worse this Easter is more UK people are actually staying in the UK rather than taking an Easter break abroad, so there will be more people on the roads.

“We do normally see prices going up before Easter as well. In times of recession it’s the last thing drivers need or want.”

Although prices have now risen by around 10p per litre since they sank to lows of around 82.9p after sharp falls in oil prices, they are still well below the highs of around 120p last summer, when oil prices hit $147 a barrel.

But oil prices have recovered slightly – currently sitting at around $53 a barrel – and Mr King warned of future hikes, particularly if oil cartel Opec has its way and cuts production.

He said: “If Opec do cut production the price will go up. It’s worth keeping a note of local prices and shopping around.”