AVERAGE petrol prices have passed the 130p a litre mark for the first time, the AA revealed.

Prices at the pumps have reached an average of 130.03p a litre for unleaded petrol – less than 2p away from the £6 gallon.

And on the M62 at Hartshead Moor services, the prices have already gone past the 132p mark which means the £6 gallon is here. Diesel is even more expensive with prices up to 138.9 at Huddersfield garages.

In Huddersfield, drivers are slightly better off with unleaded prices averaging 127.9p a litre at local filling stations.

But local industry expert Chris Stern said it would inevitably increase over the next few days.

Diesel is now averaging 135.44p a litre, the AA said. It added that at the start of the year, petrol averaged 125.19p a litre before hitting 127.74p following the VAT rise on January 4. Diesel started at 129.30p before reaching 132.01 after the VAT increase.

A year ago, the pump price of petrol was 112.74p and diesel 113.79p. This means that filling up a typical 50-litre petrol tank now costs £8.65 more than a year ago.

Mr Stern said: "We do have slightly lower than average prices in Huddersfield, because of the competition there is, but prices will be going up.

"Oil prices have risen again today and we have to wait to see the announcement by George Osborne on March 23, which could add several pence to the price."

AA president Edmund King said: "Now that petrol has hit record highs at the pumps the Chancellor must abandon the proposed tax hike and seriously consider reducing fuel duty to stabilise prices.

"The current fuel costs and political uncertainty in the Middle East and North Africa means that the Government must bite the bullet and act to stop prices from fuelling inflation and driving people off the roads."

RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink said the current unstable oil market and the planned rise in April could see petrol prices "increase by another 8p a litre in the near future"

He went on: "This kind of rise will seriously impact on people’s car use, many of whom have no other option but to travel by car."

Lowest petrol in Huddersfield

1) Asda Huddersfield, Bradford Road 125.9p per litre

2) Sainsbury’s Shorehead, Southgate, 126.9

3) Tesco Huddersfield, Viaduct Street 127.9

4) Bridge Service Station, Bradford Road 127.9

5) Lockwood Filling Station, Woodhead Road, 127.9

Prices provided by petrolprices.com