Diesel drivers filling up have been issued a warning at the pumps - but there could be light at the end of the tunnel thanks to a law change this week.

Breakdown experts at the RAC have warned drivers that diesel is now more expensive in the UK than anywhere else in Europe thanks to an eyewatering markup.

The average price for a litre of diesel is now 155p in the UK, 5p more expensive than Ireland and Belgium and 9p more than France or Italy.

The blame was laid at the retailers.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Having the most expensive diesel in Europe despite the current 5p duty cut is a very dubious honour.

“This is explained by RAC Fuel Watch calculations which show the average retailer margin on diesel – that’s the difference between the delivered wholesale price and the retail price before VAT – is 18p. That’s a shocking 10p more than the long-term average of 8p.

“We can see no good reason why retailers in Great Britain aren’t cutting their prices at the pumps.”

But there is hope that a new law put into effect this week could have a positive effect on diesel prices.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act is now law and it gives powers to the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) to closely monitor prices at forecourts across the UK and report signs of potential price gouging to the Government.