AN East Lancashire MP has hit out at the rising cost of fuel and particularly the price in rural areas during a House of Commons debate on countryside communities.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry responded to comments from Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, saying increases in taxation and other car legislation hit those living in rural areas.

Mr Berry said: “We have a real problem with fuel price competition.

“Just a few miles, perhaps four or five miles, down the road from my constituency, fuel can be several pence a litre cheaper than in my constituency.

“I have raised that issue with large retailers, including supermarkets, but they have said that they look at a small geographical area to set the price.

“Does that policy not mean that we have a problem in our fuel market for rural residents?”