Fuel prices have fallen slightly in recent weeks but hard-pressed drivers in Dorset are still having to dig deep into their pockets to keep their cars on the road.

Yesterday the highest prices spotted on Bournemouth petrol station forecourts was 117p for a litre of unleaded fuel and 129.9p for diesel.

The lowest price in the area was 108.9p for unleaded petrol and 120.9p for diesel so it's still worth shopping around for the best deals.

Prices here remain higher than in other parts of the UK.

Recent statistics from petrol prices.com, the free fuel price comparison website, showed that the national average price of unleaded fuel had fallen every day for the past month, thanks to lower oil prices and competition between retailers.

However, recent price cuts have meant that the difference between the highest and lowest priced fuel is at its highest ever.

The price drops are the first significant reduction in the price of fuel since August 2006, when a supermarkets-sparked price war resulted in a 12.5p and 8p reduction in the cost of unleaded and diesel respec-tively between August and November.

The national average price of petrol peaked on July 18 at 119.5p for unleaded and 133p for diesel.

Petrolprices.com founder Brendan McLoughlin said: "With fuel prices changing on a daily basis there's never been a more important time to shop around for fuel.

"Motorists can actually help to lower fuel prices - if we choose the cheapest fuel the most expensive stations will be forced to drop their prices," he added.

Thursday's prices at the pumps

Asda, Canford Heath, Poole. Unleaded, 108.9p. Diesel, 120.9p
Tesco, Fleets Corner, Poole. Unleaded, 108.9p. Diesel, 121.9p
Tesco, Poole Road, Branksome. Unleaded 108.9p. Diesel 121.9p
BP, Wimborne Road, Wimborne. Unleaded 112.9p. Diesel 124.9p
Esso, Bath Road, Bournemouth. Unleaded 109.9p, Diesel 122.9p
Texaco, Charminster Road, Bournemouth. Unleaded 110.9p, Diesel 123.9p
BP, Castle Lane (near Tesco), Bournemouth. Unleaded 112.9p, Diesel 126.9p
BP, Harman's Cross. Unleaded 111.9p, Diesel 123.9p
Texaco, Sandford. Unleaded 110.9p, Diesel 122.9p
Esso, Hinton, Christchurch. Unleaded 114.9p, Diesel 125.9p

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