Diesel is set to break through the £1 a litre barrier this summer.

The cost of crude oil in London hit $72.20 a barrel yesterday, beating the previous high of $70.85.

Ray Holloway of the Petrol Retailers’ Association said: “I think diesel will break £1. I don’t think petrol will, although it will still get close.”

The AA also expects diesel prices to break the £1 per litre barrier in the next few weeks, but predictably urged motorists not to go out and panic buy.