PETROL and diesel prices have continued to soar as costs have hit as high as 193.9p per litre in Dorset.

The Shell garage in Wimborne Road West had diesel listed at 193.9p per litre.

Unleaded petrol was costing motorists 175.9p per litre.

The Daily Echo reader who spotted the price said it was a 14p increase in just one day.

Experts have warned of the impact new sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports could have on the cost of living in the UK.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng announced on Tuesday the UK will phase out the import of Russian oil and oil products by the end of the year in a move matched by US President Joe Biden.

The moves were praised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who said they sent a “powerful signal”.

Boris Johnson suggested diesel prices could rise further in Britain after the announcement, with prices at the pumps already having soared following Moscow’s attack on Kyiv.

But the Prime Minister said the UK was “less exposed” than some European nations when it came to restricting Russian oil – the European Union imports more than a quarter of its oil from Russia.

No UK petrol demand comes from Russia, nor heating or fuel oil but 18% of the total demand for diesel comes from Russia, according to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Ministers were considering steps that could lead to a fracking rethink in the UK after committing to phasing out imports of Russian oil by the end of the year