DARWEN and Rossendale MP hit out at the rising cost of fuel during a debate in the House of Commons.

Jake Berry spoke during a debate on the cost of living.

He said fuel in the town was more expensive than surrounding areas because supermarkets set the price.

Mr Berry said: “The cost of fuel in my constituency is 6p or 7p a litre more expensive than in the neighbouring towns of Bury and Bolton.

“I became absolutely fed up of that, so I wrote to the major supermarkets to ask why there is such a difference.

“Apparently, for people who live in rural isolated areas such as Rossendale and Darwen, the local supermarket sets the cost of the fuel at the pump.

“Therefore, in a small geographical area that encompasses my constituency alone, the biggest retailer in my patch – the supermarket – sets the price and is the major supplier.

“People in my area say, ‘Welcome to rip-off Rossendale or dearest Darwen if you want fuel in your car’. That cannot be right. It is wrong that supermarkets behave in that way on fuel pricing.”