Drivers filling up their tanks on the county's motorways are feeling the pinch as petrol prices hit a staggering 159.9p per litre.

Yesterday a price comparison website showed petrol pumps at M20 service stations near Maidstone and Hythe charging what is understood to be the highest price in Kent.

It comes as the RAC motoring organisation branded October "a horrible month for drivers" as the ongoing fuel crisis pushed prices on the forecourts to record highs.

The average prices of both petrol and diesel hit new peaks last month, after rising by nearly 7.5p and 8p respectively.

According to RAC Fuel Watch data, the price of unleaded climbed faster than in any month since 2000.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "October 2021 set records for all the wrong reasons and was a horrible month for drivers with both petrol and diesel prices hitting new heights.

"The increases of almost 7.5p being added to a litre of unleaded and more than 8p going on to diesel are some of the highest we've seen in the 21 years we’ve been tracking fuel prices.

"Sadly, since passing the old record from 2012 the price of petrol has continued to climb and closed October at an eye-watering average of 144.35p. With a fill-up costing £16.50 more than a year ago, the impact is definitely being felt in homes up and down the country. It’s also bound to have a negative effect on the economy."

RAC data also reveals the extent of the fuel "postcode lottery", with petrol prices in Northern Ireland being almost 3p a litre cheaper than in the south east of England.

Prices surges have been driven by the rising cost of oil, amid a widespread surge in demand for energy as economies reopen following global lockdowns.

In September a shortage of tanker drivers led to pumps running dry across the country, with filling stations across Kent besieged by desperate motorists hoping to top up their tanks as soon as scarce deliveries arrived.

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