CASH-STRAPPED motorists across Hampshire are facing record new costs, fuelling fears that petrol prices are soaring out of control.

Bills have rocketed by more than ten pence a litre since January - and have now topped the £1 a litre mark in some parts of the country.

At one garage, at Ashurst in the New Forest, filling your tank over Easter cost £1.02p for a litre of unleaded and £1.03 for diesel.

One concerned resident told the Daily Echo: "Without a doubt, it's the dearest around and no locals use it."

The shop assistant of Lyndhurst Road, added: "From Christ-church to Southampton, it is the only petrol station that side of the road and, unfortunately for them, a lot of people don't look at the prices."

In Southampton, rises have not been quite as steep.

In Sainsbury's in Lordshill, the price of unleaded is 92.9p per litre while at the Shell Garage on the A35 Redbridge Road, drivers were paying only 91.9p for a litre of unleaded fuel.

In Whiteley at Tesco prices have shot up to 94.9p.

A rise in the cost of crude oil on the world markets means the average two-car family is now paying £23.32 more a month for petrol compared to the start of the year.

Be on your guard

Motoring giants the AA, are advising drivers to be on their guard for rip-off prices when they need to top up their tanks.

"People need to be aware of the petrol prices in their area," said AA spokeswoman Ruth Bridger. "Don't fill up at the place you normally do. Check out the prices and go where the prices are a bit lower. Don't be caught out."

The AA is calling on the government to continue to freeze fuel duty, which has not been increased since October 2003.

Ms Bridger warned that the people hardest hit would be the elderly who are reliant on transport to get out and about but have to make ends meet on a pension.