Petrol prices have soared ALREADY 5p in the past month: Drivers' groups make last-ditch plea before Budget

Drivers braced for an up to 5p-a-litre increase in fuel duty on April 1 have already suffered a similar surge in petrol and diesel prices over the past month, according to figures from the AA.

Average UK petrol prices have risen from 128.81p a litre in mid-February to a new record of 132.88p in mid-March.

Average diesel pump prices have gone up 4.97p a litre in the same period, from 134.01p to an all-time high of 138.98p, said the AA which urged the Chancellor to use the Budget to scrap the planned April fuel duty rise.