THE cost of fuel may be driving you to distraction. But motorists in Bournemouth and Poole are paying below the national average for unleaded petrol, new figures have revealed.

Diesel prices have teetered over the £1-per-litre mark in most parts of the country, with the cost of petrol also set to break the milestone, according to the AA.

On average, it costs motorists 98.1p per litre for unleaded in Bournemouth, and 97.3p per litre in Poole, compared with the national average of 98.4p per litre.

Poole filling stations are also beating the national average cost of diesel - 100.9p per litre - by selling at 100.6p per litre.

It costs 101.1p on average in Bournemouth.

The AA's findings follow reports of a surge in sweet crude prices to a record 91.78 US dollars a barrel.

Martin Wort, 41, from Christchurch, said he was disgusted with the cost of fuel.

"It's far too much," he said. "It is just ridiculous the way it keeps going up.

"I think it adds an extra £10 or so to my fuel bill each week, but I have got no option but to pay it."

Janice Seare, vicar at St John's Church, Holdenhurst Village, regularly takes her friends out for the day, but said that the cost was taking its toll.

"My friends are very happy to help pay for the fuel, although it is getting quite pricey," she said. "I could hire a minibus, but it is far too expensive."

IT manager Michael Bobby, 47, from Queens Park, said that fuel prices were unfair.

"Presumably most of it is tax, which seems wrong when motorists are already taxed on so much."

According to the AA, the most expensive unleaded petrol in the Bournemouth area was being sold for 101.9p per litre.

On Holdenhurst Road, one Texaco garage was selling diesel at 2p per litre more than another Texaco garage a short distance down the road.