Households are already expecting to struggle when the energy price cap rises in April, and many people could well be hit with a sucker-punch as petrol prices continue to rise.

Costs stagnated briefly in the early weeks of the new year, but according to our research, they are on their way up again at forecourts across Colchester.

Whilst Asda had been the cheapest location to fill up so far this year, it has been knocked off top spot by its supermarket rivals.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the costs of fuel at Colchester’s petrol stations – from cheapest to priciest.

1st – Sainsbury’s, Stanway (CO3 8AA), Tesco, Greenstead Road (CO1 2TE) and Tesco Extra, Highwoods (CO4 9ED) – 144.9p per litre

It is the first time this year that Asda has been knocked off top spot, and it has been replaced by two of its retail rivals, Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The three petrol stations across Colchester are charging 144.9p per litre for fuel, which equates to £86.94 for a 60-litre tank. It is the first time since we have been compiling these lists that three different petrol stations have offered the cheapest fuel prices in town.

Gazette: Fill her up – Sainsbury's in Stanway has cheaper fuel than the majority of Colchester's forecourtsFill her up – Sainsbury's in Stanway has cheaper fuel than the majority of Colchester's forecourts

4th – Asda, Turner Road (CO4 5TU) – 145.8p per litre

The Asda superstore on Turner Road has slipped to fourth in Colchester, with a full tank here costing £87.48.

5th – Co-Op, Peartree Road (CO3 5JX) – 145.9p per litre

Only a fraction behind Asda, the petrol station on Peartree Road will cost you £87.54 for 60 litres of fuel.

6th – BP, Mersea Road (CO2 8PU), and Texaco Shrub End (CO3 4SA) – 146.9p per litre

Both these are at the less expensive end of the petrol giants, but trail the other retailers which market fuel at a comparatively knock-down price. A 60-litre tank costs £88.14 here.

8th – Esso, Bergholt Road (CO4 5AJ), Esso, Halstead Road (CO6 3PU), and Texaco, Mersea Road (CO2 7EU) – 147.9p per litre

These three petrol stations are firmly on the expensive side when it comes to costs of fuel in Colchester, with a full tank costing £88.74 at these three forecourts.

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11th – BP, London Road (CO3 0NR) – 148.9p per litre

One of the major petrol providers, fuel at this BP garage does not come cheap – and it is less than a mile away from the cheapest petrol station in town. A full tank here costs £89.34.

12th – BP, Ipswich Road (CO4 0EU) – 149.9p per litre

Aside from service stations, this is the most expensive petrol station in Colchester – and has been since we started compiling prices last year. A full tank here will set you back £89.94.

Gazette: Pricey – the BP on Ipswich Road has the most expensive fuel in Colchester petrol stations, with the exception of service stations on the outskirts of townPricey – the BP on Ipswich Road has the most expensive fuel in Colchester petrol stations, with the exception of service stations on the outskirts of town

13th – BP, Ardleigh South Service Station (CO7 7SL) – 159.9p per litre

Service stations are known to be extremely expensive for fuel, and this forecourt certainly tops the lot. At 159.9p per litre, 60 litres of fuel will cost nearly £100 here, with the receipt coming to £95.94.