For the first time in 2007, the price of petrol has increased to over 90p per litre, the AA has disclosed.

The nationwide average is presently 90.28p, but it began this annum at 88.32p.

The least costliest time was on February 1 when a litre set a motorist back 86p, a charge not witnessed since June last year.

Diesel is 93.34p per litre, however the value gap with petrol has "closed" in 2007, from 5.26p to 3.06p.

In 2006 petrol remained at around 90p a litre before mid-March and then rose 4p in a month.

AA's Paul Watters is quoted in the Mirror as saying: "Drivers are hoping petrol history doesn't repeat itself this Easter."