EAST Lancashire Euro MP Chris Davies today called for action to prevent what he says is the costly misery suffered by hundreds of drivers throughout the region at petrol stations each year.

More than 120,000 people across the UK mistakenly put the wrong fuel into their cars at filling stations last year, 14,000 of them in the North West.

Liberal Democrat Mr Davies says misfuelling creates huge expense and inconvenience for motorists. He wants Europe-wide action by car manufacturers and fuel suppliers to curb the problem.

Major oil companies have recently agreed to standardise the colour of their nozzles and hoses for unleaded and diesel pumps to reduce customer confusion.

But Mr Davies says that while these measures are a step forward, the European Commission should encourage all parties to sit down and decide the best way forward to end the problem in the long term.

The average cost of a re-fuelling error is £130 but it can run into the thousands. The AA advises those who misfuel their car not to start the engine, or to switch off as soon as possible.