BELEAGUERED drivers have hit out in dismay as petrol prices breached 140p a litre within Bournemouth over Easter.

Unleaded was 140.9p at BP’s Wallisdown Road filling station on Sunday.

Meanwhile diesel was on sale at the same garage for 145.9p a litre.

In Dorset’s rural garages, traditionally more costly than their urban counterparts, prices remained below the 140p high.

At East Knighton’s Gulf filling station, unleaded was on sale for 138.9p a litre and diesel was 143.9p.

Sandford’s Texaco was selling unleaded for 137.9p and diesel at 144.9p a litre, while Poole’s Ashley Road Esso garage priced unleaded at 134.9p and diesel at 139.9p.

Poole motorist Adrian Nealson, aged 26, said: “It is funny prices seem to have gone up on the bank holiday. Someone, somewhere is doing pretty well out of this.

“Ordinary drivers are being treated as second class citizens at the moment. Soon only the rich will be able to sit behind the wheel.”

Donna Roberts, aged 45, who had just spent a staggering £90 filling up her family car, said: “We need a large drop in prices, not just a couple of pence. We are paying among the highest rates in the world.

“I don’t believe the government or the fuel companies are doing anything to help.

“The sun comes out, the tourists flood in and the prices go up. Surprise, surprise.”

A spokesman for the AA said despite the one pence cut in fuel duty in the budget, UK average fuel prices have climbed to an all time record high.

“Compared to last Easter, petrol is nearly 15 pence a litre more expensive and diesel 20 pence higher,” confirmed the spokesman.

Prices

Texaco, Wool: unleaded 137.9p and diesel 143.9p.

Holton Heath: diesel 145.9p.

Tesco, Branksome, Poole: unleaded 132.9p and diesel 139.9p.

Esso, Ringwood Road, Poole: unleaded 134.9p and diesel 140.9p.