Fuel campaigners last night urged motorists to take the same militant stance as hunt supporters as rural drivers in the North were warned that they would be hit hardest by rocketing petrol prices.

And motoring organisations have been urging drivers to shop around as much as possible as crude oil hovered above $50 a barrel.

Average fuel prices across the country now stand at 82p a litre for petrol and 84p for diesel - compared to 77p and 79p last year - but rural drivers forced to fill up their tanks at isolated filling stations are facing much higher costs.

At Manor House Services on the A68 at Kiln Pit Hill, petrol prices are 96.9p a litre and diesel 93.9 and at Border Park Services in Byrness, petrol is 90.9p and diesel 94.9p.

But rural garages say they have to charge more because of the higher delivery charges they pay.

"There are huge differences across the board with the cost of fuel," said AA spokeswoman Denise Raven yesterday. "But it's rare for there to be prices quite so much higher. It means people in rural areas are paying £5 or £6 more each time they fill up their tank.

"It's not fair for those living in the countryside, but the blame can't be laid entirely at the door of the garage owner. Most of the cost is made up of tax, so the only one coming out of this well is the Chancellor. It's certainly not the motorist and it's not the garage owner."

RAC spokesman Phil Hale said: "All we would advise motorists to do is shop around as much as they can. If they have to make a journey into town for something else, perhaps they can find a cheaper garage while they are there. Those making long journeys should fill up before they leave so they don't have to stop at isolated garages."

Border Park Services public relations officer Alan Roe said: "The prices we charge are directly related to the prices we pay. We're certainly not making a huge profit."

Farmer and haulier Andrew Spence of Leadgate, spokesman for campaign group the People's Fuel Lobby, said: "Motorists need to be more proactive. They need to be the ones being more militant in the same way the hunt supporters have been. That is the only way we will see prices going down."

Countryside Alliance regional director Richard Dodd said: "This is just another nail in the coffin for rural areas. We always get hit disproportionately hard by fuel increases and we rely heavily on using our cars."

Tynedale Council leader John Herron said: "It's not fair for people in rural areas to be paying more, but historically, it's always been the case. What people forget is that a car is not a luxury in rural places, it's an essential."

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