You had better fill up your tank – because Gravesend has the cheapest petrol prices in the country, according to the AA.

Garages in the town have become the UK’s first to sell unleaded fuel for less than 120p per litre, according to the latest figures.

Petrol prices have plummeted to a four-year low after a fierce battle between supermarkets.

The cheapest place to fill up is currently the Esso branch in Old Road West, where unleaded is going for 119.9p per litre.

As for diesel, the best deal can be found at Asda Greenhithe at 124.7p per litre.

Fuel costs in London and the South East have become the lowest in the UK since the closure of Coryton Refinery in Essex in 2012, which saw a change of the supply of petrol and diesel into the region, according to AA spokesman Luke Bosdet.

Mr Bosdet said: “The interesting thing is that London and the South East used to be one of the most expensive places to fill up, but because of the change of supply of petrol and diesel into the region, it has now become one of the cheapest.

“You’re looking at a 5p a litre saving on average nationally.”

Quizzed on the AA’s stance on such a dramatic fall, he said: “When you bear in mind that there are a lot of commuters that are travelling to work in that part of the country, it’s great news.

If you’re driving up and down the M25 on a daily basis, it’s not going to be costing you as much.

“These falls have come at a time when cars are using up more fuel because engines are colder, people are using their wipers and heating systems more, and the engine has to cope with that sort of thing.”

Drivers will also be pleased to hear that the price drops could continue. Mr Bosdet said: “I think they could do, but not by much.

“We are all waiting to see when there will be a correction in the market. If the pound starts to get weaker then we will see a rise again.

“People should keep an eye on the exchange rate to see how price rises will look in future.”
“We are very much aware of just how fortunate people who live on the east side of London are because of the extremely competitive retailers.”

The drop is partly thanks to falling oil prices that have triggered a supermarket price war, in particular the switch by Sainsbury’s to much lower pump prices across all of its forecourts, according to the motoring organisation.

The gap between supermarket prices and the UK average for unleaded has increased to 1.8p per litre nationally.

Unleaded prices are down 2p from 129.7p to 127.2p per litre nationally, while diesel prices are down 2.1p from 133.4p to 131.3p per litre.

Asda is one of the big businesses fighting with rival supermarkets to get the lowest price. The company has placed a national cap on prices, meaning motorists will pay no more than 120.7p per litre on unleaded and 124.7p on diesel.