THE government is being urged to take action after the price of petrol went up 7p in the last week.

The average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new record of 183.2p on Thursday.

In now costs in excess of £100 to fill a standard 55-litre tank, while diesel prices have also hit a new record of 188.8p per litre.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said it was 'another day and another round of fuel price records'.

He went on: "Unbelievably the average cost of a litre of petrol has gone up by more than 7p in just a week to 183.16p, and diesel by 4.5p to 188.82p.

"Other price records have also unfortunately been set this morning, with the average cost of a litre of diesel at a motorway services passing the £2 mark for the first time ever (200.99p).

"Petrol at the motorway is also at another record of 197.18p.

"It’s becoming clearer by the day that the Government must take further action to reduce the enormous financial burden on drivers."

Here are the top five cheapest places to fill up across our patch:

UNLEADED

Asda, Barons Quay, Northwich - 172.7p per litre

Sainsburys, Northwich - 174.9p per litre

Tesco, Northwich - 178.9p per litre

Morrisons, Winsford - 179.9 per litre

BP, Winnington Lane, Northwich - 181.9p per litre

DIESEL

Sainsburys, Northwich - 182.9p per litre

Asda, Barons Quay, Northwich - 183.7p per litre

BP, Winnington Lane, Northwich - 186.9p per litre

Esso, Northwich Road, Northwich - 186.9p per litre

Morrisons, Winsford - 186.9p per litre