Motorists are continuing to feel the pinch at the pumps despite fuel prices coming down slightly.

The average cost of a litre of unleaded petrol was 165.75p at the end of last week, according to data from RAC Fuel Watch.

Meanwhile the price of diesel has also fallen, with a litre costing on average 181.93p.

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Last week’s announcement of a slight fall in inflation was put down partly to the reduced cost of fuel.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said inflation reached 9.9% in the year to August, down from 10.1% the previous month – a 40-year high.

The ONS said the biggest downward pressure on the inflation rate was the price of motor fuels, which has been falling in recent months.

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The 6.8% drop in fuel prices was the highest since between March and April 2020, the early days of the pandemic when oil prices briefly went negative on some markets.

Here is a list of the cheapest fuel prices in County Durham and Darlington (as of September 20), according to price comparison website PetrolPrices:

County Durham

  • BP Meadowfield, Frederick Street – unleaded: 155.9p, diesel: 174.9p
  • SHELL A690 Stonebridge, Nevilles Cross Bank – unleaded: 159.9p, diesel: 175.9p
  • GULF A690 West Rainton – unleaded: 159.9p, diesel: 179.9p
  • GULF Red Tiles Service Centre, Kaysburn – unleaded: 159.9p, diesel: 179.9p
  • Sainsbury’s Durham, Arnison Retail Centre – unleaded: 160.9p, diesel: 176.9p

Darlington

  • JET Carmel Road – unleaded: 163.9p, diesel: 181.9p
  • ASDA Darlington Automat – unleaded: 164.7p, diesel: 179.7p
  • Sainsbury’s Darlington – unleaded: 164.9p, diesel: 178.9p
  • SHELL Haughton Road – unleaded: 164.9p, diesel: 179.9p
  • ESSO Grange Road – unleaded: 165.9p, diesel: 179.9p

Bishop Auckland

  • JET Etherly Moor – unleaded: 152.7p, diesel: 173.7p
  • Sainsbury’s Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 155.9p, diesel: 173.9p
  • JET Oakley, West Auckland – unleaded: 155.9p, diesel: 176.9p
  • SHELL Crook – unleaded: 155.9p, diesel: 175.9p
  • ESSO Helmington Row, Crook – unleaded: 155.9p, diesel: 175.9p

Middlesbrough

  • Sainsbury’s Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 155.9p, diesel: 179.9p
  • ESSO Acklam Road – unleaded: 159.9p, diesel: 179.9p
  • ESSO Acklam Road, Bluebell Corner – unleaded: 159.9p, diesel: 180.9p
  • ESSO Birchington Avenue – unleaded: 159.9p, diesel: 176.9p
  • ESSO Oxbridge Lane – unleaded: 159.9p, diesel: 179.9p

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