Unfortunately, it is only the large companies that can afford the ground rent in cities like London - smaller, independant garages are being forced out of business by supermarket petrol stations. Driving into south London on Monday night, I drove for 16 miles before I found a petrol station, and that was a supermarket owned one.

It's not going to be long before we see the UK price going up to a pound a litre - I've already seen a 99.1p sign this week. I remember my dad having a pink fit with yellow spots when it went up to a pound a gallon!

The only solution is to use the bus, train, walk, or cycle.

LTS