Ministers must intervene to prevent “rip-off” petrol prices ahead of the Easter getaway, the AA has said. Fuel prices have hit their highest levels for six months, with the cost of petrol set to rise by eight pence per litre in just eight weeks.

The price hike comes as 25 million cars are expected to take to the road for the Easter holidays, with railway services across the UK being heavily disrupted by improvement works.

Motoring groups last night accused fuel retailers of timing their price rises around the bank holiday weekends, and urged the Government to intervene.

The average cost of petrol is £1.23 per litre, but is set to hit £1.28 in the next fortnight.

But analysis by the Telegraph found that some stations were already charging motorists as much as £1.45, with diesel costing £1.54, leaving drivers furious.