New data has indicated that petrol prices across Europe have risen by almost a third over the past 12 months.

The research, undertaken by the Post Office, discovered that British holidaymakers have had to manage significant petrol price rises in all 14 of the continental countries surveyed, with Switzerland, Austria and Sweden recording the largest increases. The survey looked at prices for both unleaded and diesel fuel.

Norway was found to have Europe’s most expensive diesel prices, averaging £1.48 per litre, with the Netherlands second at £1.45 per litre. Denmark and Germany, at £1.37 and £1.30 respectively, placed third and fourth in the most expensive diesel stakes. The average UK price is £1.23 per litre, with Luxembourg and Spain offering the cheapest diesel at just 91p and £1 respectively per litre. Diesel was cheaper than petrol in every country surveyed except for the UK and Switzerland.

Spain and Luxembourg were also the cheapest for unleaded petrol, with both averaging £1.08 per litre, closely followed by Switzerland at £1.09.

The news will not be welcomed by the new government, who has already irked many travellers with plans to introduce an Air Passenger Duty, compounding difficulties brought about by the slow pace of economic recovery and rising airfares.

UK holiday drivers will, however, be please to learn that car hire costs in many popular destinations have fallen, with the USA and Spain both showing large decreases from last summer in terms of fuelling and travelling. A 200 mile journey in the US on unleaded petrol now costs 25 per cent less than this time last year, while three day rental packages in Spain have dropped by roughly 17 per cent.