MOTORISTS are getting hit in the wallet as petrol prices hurtle towards the pychologically important £1 barrier and the threat of a national blockade looms.

Would you support a fuel blockade? Click here to vote in this week's poll.

According to petrol price watchdog, Catalist, the South West is one of the most expensive places in the country to buy petrol.

It lists the average unleaded fuel prices for the South West as 92.06p per litre - the third highest in the UK - with 4 star working out the most expensive at 96.53p and diesel also third highest at 95.7p.

The Daily Echo is launching Pumpwatch (see below), where we will give you a day-by-day snapshot of prices throughout the area.

Unrest in the Middle East brought increases in petrol prices earlier this year, but the past 10 days have seen a further sharp rise as Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in the US state of Louisiana.

Now, the Fuel Lobby is threatening a repeat of the 2000 blockades, which saw panic buying and petrol stations running out of fuel across the country.

Ian Shears, from Shears Bros in Stone Lane, Wimborne, said a blockade at Fawley refinery near Southampton could be catastrophic for haulage firms like his.

But he is trying not to panic and watching what happens.

"I'll keep going as long as I can, but I feel this is really messing us about big time," he said.

Ashley Miller, chairman of Bournemouth Taxi Drivers' Association, said a blockade could bring taxis to a standstill. "If it's a long blockade, garages will run out," he said. "We won't be able to work."

ECHO PUMP WATCH (Price for a litre of unleaded petrol)

1. Tesco, Branksome 89.9p

2. Rossmore service station, Poole 91.9p

3. Sainsbury's, Alder Road 91.9p

4. Texaco, Wallisdown Road 91.9p

5. Damory Garage, Blandford 93.5p

6. Esso Bath Road service station 93.5p

7. Shell, Derby's Corner, Poole 93.9p

8. Texaco, Wimborne Road West, Wimborne 94.5p

9. BP, Cat and Fiddle, Christchurch 95.9p

10. BP, Winton service station 95.9p

11. Shell, Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch 95.9p

12. St Michael's garage, Swanage 96.9p

13. Holton Heath Garage, Wareham Road 97.9p

14. Hordle Filling Station (Total) 98.9p

15. Murco, Southbourne Grove 98.9p

You can email us with the best (or worst) prices that you spot by emailing pump.watch@bournemouthecho.co.uk. Or you can text your price to 83010 beginning your message BHFW - texts cost 25 pence, plus normal network charge.

First published: September 8, 2005