MOTORISTS in the South East are bearing the brunt of sky-high fuel prices having seen the steepest increases in the cost of petrol and diesel over the past 12 months.

According to new data from Confused.com, prices across the South East have accelerated faster than any other region, with petrol increasing an eye-watering 13.9p (up 12 per cent) and diesel 16.4p (up 14 per cent) in just one year.

This means the average price of petrol per litre hits 132.4p in the region, costing drivers a whopping £75 to fill a medium-sized car with fuel. Meanwhile, the price of diesel in the South East now costs motorists 137.3p per litre, and £78 for a tank.

Drivers in the region are paying the most expensive prices on mainland UK, topped only by the Isle of Man. Overall, petrol and diesel is on the up across the UK, reaching record-breaking prices.

According to Confused.com’s fuel price index, the cost of petrol alone has increased 13.1p (up 11 per cent) over the past year, reaching 131.5p per litre in October, on average, costing drivers £75 to fill up a medium-sized car.

Meanwhile, the price of diesel accelerated by 15.6p (up 13 per cent) to 136.2p with a full medium-sized tank costing a whopping £78 on average.