PETROL prices around the world are finally falling, but motorists in Dorset are angry about the high prices they still have to pay.

Oil prices have fallen from July's record high of $147 US dollars a barrel to under $100 US dollars a barrel after last week's Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Yet according to the AA, the fall is not being reflected at the petrol pumps.

The UK's national average for unleaded petrol and diesel is 112.9p per litre and 124.3p per litre and drivers locally are paying as much as 115.9p for petrol and 129.9p for diesel.

Foster carer Jill Smith, 59, of Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, said: "The new prices are beyond the capabilities of low-paid Bournemouth workers to pay.

"It's especially difficult for foster carers because we use people carriers and often have to take at least five children to school a day."

Housewife Tracy Rocket, 45, of Boscombe East, relies on her car heavily to ferry her children to and from school.

She said: "The prices are dreadful but I don't have any choice.

"It's very expensive but I have to have a seven-seater car for my family. The government's taxes are too high."

David Bleach, manager of Texaco Garage in Fairmile, Christchurch, which sells unleaded petrol at 114.9p, says they cannot reduce prices.

He said: "We get our orders from head office. They decide what the prices are, not us."

Tesco and Sainsbury's say their prices vary across the country in order to stay competitive.

David Nieberg, spokesman for Tesco said: "The biggest issue facing us is the exchange rates, as crude oil is traded in dollars. We work very hard to keep our prices down but the price of oil is volatile.

"The government places duty on all items, not just oil and this passes to the consumer - we cannot absorb the duty.

"The most immediate saving we offer is our promotion where if you spend £50 in the store, you get 5p off at the pump."

In Bournemouth on Tuesday, BP, Spur End service station in Castle Lane East was charging 115.9p for unleaded and 127.9 for diesel and Texaco Malthurst Westview, Charminster Road, was pricing unleaded at 112.9p and diesel at 124.9p.