MOTORISTS will be paying less at the pumps from today after supermarkets slashed the price of fuel.

A fuel war has emerged between leading supermarkets after Sainsbury’s yesterday announced it was cutting the cost of petrol and diesel at its garages by up to 5p a litre.

Asda and Tesco quickly followed suit with the former cutting up to 1p off the price of petrol and up to 2p off the price of diesel.

And Tesco has also slashed up to 5p off the price of both petrol and diesel.

The welcomed drop in price reflects the reduction in the cost of wholesale crude oil and the strengthening of the pound following the no vote in the Scottish referendum.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “The wholesale price of both petrol and diesel has been low for around three months and as a result motorists have been enjoying some the cheapest prices for over three years.

“This cut will take us to a new low, the likes of which we haven’t seen since late 2010, early 2011 when the price of petrol and diesel unfortunately jumped by 10p a litre in just a few months.

“Since the Scottish referendum the pound has rallied against the dollar which has created a much-appreciated downward pressure on fuel prices which are traded in dollars.

“It’s great news for motorists that this is being swiftly passed on by retailers at the pumps.”

Avishai Moor, Sainsbury’s head of fuel, said: "Fuel is a big part of the weekly budget for many households, which is why we’re taking the lead and cutting the price of unleaded petrol and diesel by up to 5 pence per litre.

"We always aim to offer our customers the very best value on everything we sell and our latest drop means that millions of motorists across the UK can save money when they fill up with Sainsbury’s.”

Yesterday, Peter Cattell, fuel director for Tesco said: “From tomorrow, we’ll be cutting the price of petrol and diesel at all of our Petrol Filling Stations by up to 5 pence per litre.

"As Britain's biggest fuel retailer this means more motorists can make real savings."

Andy Peake, Asda’s petrol trading director said: “With this latest price cut we’re now seeing some of the lowest fuel prices around, with diesel at 128.7ppl and unleaded at 124.7 ppl.

"Whilst other supermarkets are cutting fuel prices, we’re the only retailer that has a national price cap on fuel, ensuring every single one of our customers knows what they will pay at the pump regardless of where they live”.

PETROL PRICES NEAR YOU

All local petrol prices are per litre and were correct as of Tuesday September 30 at 2pm. However, prices may vary.

PORTLAND

Esso – Top O the Hill, Easton – Petrol: 126.9p a litre Diesel: 129.9p per litre

WEYMOUTH

Texaco – Portland Road- Petrol: 128.9p Diesel: 131.9p

Morrisons – Dorchester Road – Petrol: 127.9p Diesel: 130.9p

Sainsbury’s – Mercery Road – Petrol: 124.9p Diesel: 128.9p

BP – Dorchester Road – Petrol: 128.9p Diesel: 133.9p

Esso – Granby Industrial Estate – Petrol: 126.9p Diesel: 129.9p

Tesco – Lanehouse Rocks Road – Petrol: 127.9 Diesel 130.0p

Texaco – King Street- Petrol: 127.9p Diesel: 130.9p

DORCHESTER

Tesco - Weymouth Avenue – Petrol: 126.9p Diesel: 130.9p

WEST DORSET

Merco – Bride Valley Motors – A35 at Winterbourne Abbas – Petrol:129.9p Diesel:134.9p

Morrisons - Bridport- Petrol: 129.9p Diesel: 133.9p

Texaco - East Road, Bridport – Petrol: 129.9p Diesel:134.9p