HARD-pressed motorists have been hit with record diesel prices – and there are predictions petrol could follow suit.

Drivers are now paying between 139.7p and 149.9p for a litre of diesel – an all-time high – following an increase in crude oil prices.

And prices for unleaded petrol locally are between 132.7p and 139.9p, with many industry analysts warning this could increase further before Easter.

Disruption in Middle East oil supplies and rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme are being blamed for the increase and could possibly add as much as seven pence a litre to petrol prices in the next few weeks.

This would leave many households paying around £15 a month more to fill up their cars.

The AA has now written to Chancellor George Osborne urging him to cancel the fuel duty increase planned for August.

Kathy Tilbury, managing director of Bournemouth-based Excelsior Coaches, said: “We spend over £100,000 a month on fuel, the vehicles we use are doing 10 miles to the gallon and fuel accounts for a third of our costs.

“Unfortunately, when you look at what is going on in Syria and the Iranian situation, it can only go one way and we are braced for further increases.

“We can do all the work in the world to make sure our drivers are driving efficiently but unfortunately those costs do have to be passed on.” Bournemouth taxi driver Paul Sondheim said: “Ten years ago it used to cost me £32 to fill up my taxi, now it costs me nearly £90. It’s nearly trebled at a time when we’ve had very small increases in taxi fares.

“Everyone’s hit hard by it and I’m surprised there hasn’t been more public reaction.”