SOUTH Essex motorists angry about rocketing fuel prices are supporting a national protest.

Campaigners from the Fair Fuel UK group presented a report to Parliament, calling for a cut in fuel duty. The plea comes after average petrol prices reached a record high this week.

Tariq Musaji, 44, who runs Farrah’s Driver Training for learner drivers in Basildon and Southend, has noticed a significant fall in business.

He said: “It’s too much now. I can’t pass the price rise on to our customers because there’s a lot of competition in this industry. It’s a very serious issue.

“There has been a big drop, because of expensive insurance, car tax and high fuel costs. More people seem to be turning to public transport. We have actually got the cheapest fuel in Europe, but the Government makes it expensive by adding so much tax.”

Despite an all-time high for diesel prices, Mr Musaji found swapping from an unleaded vehicle has still reduced his costs.

He also teaches his students other money-saving techniques, such as combining journeys, not speeding up inappropriately and more efficient gear control.

Mr Musaji added: “Revving the engine is just going to hit you in the pocket. It’s about being more sensible and it’s all part of driving now.”

The average price for unleaded petrol across Britain is 137.7p a litre and 144.9p for diesel. Prices in south Essex range from 135.6p to 142.9p for a litre of unleaded petrol and between 141.7p and 148.9p for diesel.

Kate Smith, 24, of Belle Vue Avenue, Southend, drives more than 100 miles a week because she works in Basildon.

She said: “The price increase of petrol is getting beyond ridiculous, the cost of commuting is going through the roof.

“This time two years ago, it would cost me £10 less to fill up my fuel tank.

“How is this fair? This is down to the Government more than anybody else. It’s about time they looked at the everyday problems pushing up the cost of living and how this affects commuters and taxpayers.”