According to reports by WhatCar? petrol prices have hit record highs, according to the RAC Foundation, which has called for fuel duty increases to be scrapped and all motoring taxes to be reviewed.

The Foundation says the average price of a litre of unleaded petrol is now £1.20, higher than the previous peak recorded in July 2008.

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: 'The Government can't protect motorists against the vagaries of the international oil and currency markets, but what it can do is ensure fuel is fairly and proportionately taxed.

'The RAC Foundation believes the latest fuel duty increase should be reversed and a full scale review of motoring taxes urgently takes place.

'If fuel duty is an environmental tax, then drivers already pay way too much in comparison with the damage they do.'