MORE than 40 petrol filling stations have closed in the North-East in the past five years, leading to the loss of 273 jobs.

The figures were calculated by the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents 5,300 independent filling stations across the UK.

Its chairman Brian Madderson said: “The closure of each petrol forecourt in the North-East means the loss of local jobs for local people and has a negative impact on the economy in the area.

“It is also the loss of a local convenience not just for those seeking to purchase fuel but other every day essentials that so many sites now offer their customers.”

The Association criticised what it said were “additional and burdensome” regulations and said more should be done to support forecourt retailers.

Mr Madderson said: “Unfortunately a forecourt retailers’ biggest selling product categories – fuel and tobacco – are the most regulated and while regulation is needed in many cases, the Government needs to do more to ensure the impact on businesses is not ignored.”