A NEW study shows that motorists in Hampshire are being charged more than most others in the country for vehicle repairs.

Drivers are paying an average £79.13 an hour garage fees – an increase of almost £6 on last year, according to a suvery by the Warranty Direct Company. That is more than the national average of £74.82 per hour – a £4.24 hike from 2009 prices.

According to the survey, Hampshire was 12th most expensive county in the country.

Surrey topped the chart of 61 regions, with garages charging £87.59 per hour.

Renfrewshire, in Scotland was the cheapest with an hourly rate of £53.86.

The Isle of Wight was the second cheapest region in the country according to the survey, with the average fee.