Nine out of 10 motorists blame the Government for the record high cost of petrol and diesel, a new survey has found.

A poll of more than 26,000 drivers for campaign group FairFuel UK showed 89.3% felt ministers were to blame for soaring prices at the pump.

More than three-quarters thought MPs were "out of touch" on the issue of petrol and diesel prices, while 86% said lowering fuel duty was the most important tax issue for the UK economy.

FairFuelUK spokesman Quentin Willson said: "Our MPs and senior politicians just don't get fuel duty and the results of this extensive poll show that the public know it.

"Their failure to act and their apathy over what is one of this country's most important social issues tells us how removed they are from real life.

"Families and businesses can't afford to use the roads yet the majority of our MPs won't stand up for the people."

FairFuelUK organiser Peter Carroll said: "The airwaves have been full of politicians saying that they are 'listening to' and 'engaging with' voters - they need to start by accepting the results of this massive poll starting with the fact that fuel duty is the number one issue."