The average price for diesel in the UK has topped £6 a gallon this week for the first time, which is equivalent to 131.9p a litre.

The latest milestone has been reached after three consecutive months of record-breaking prices, with rises seen nationwide almost every day over the period.

The average price of diesel in the UK has increased by 24p since the beginning of the year, which equates to 22 per cent and the price of diesel hit £5 a gallon for the first time in January.

Diesel is now on average 13p more expensive than unleaded and this has led some motorists to reconsider diesel's reputation as a cheaper alternative.

Chairman of Wellingborough Hackney Carriage Association Barry Liffen described the effect the news would have on taxi drivers, who traditionally use diesel because it has always worked out cheaper.

He said: "Before you just went and bought a diesel.

"But now when it is time for drivers to replace their taxis they will be taking into consideration the rising price of diesel."

He said the majority of drivers still used diesel vehicles, with just a couple of petrol cars in the association.

However, he said one driver had made the switch to LPG fuel, which is currently selling for about 58p per litre, in an effort to save on costs.

Mr Liffen said he was resigned to continuing price rises, citing the growing demand for fuel in China and India as the causes.

However, Mr Liffen said: "With Shell and BP announcing combined profits last month of £7bn pounds for the last quarter, I think motorists and transport companies will get little satisfaction from that explanation."

Founder of Petrolprices.com Brendan McLoughlin said: "£6 a gallon is yet another landmark price that highlights just how much diesel prices have risen in such a short space of time.

"Diesel is typically more economical so many are switching to diesel cars.

"But this increases the demand and appears to be pushing the price up further.

"The break-even point for diesel cars is being pushed further back and there may come a time where diesel no longer makes financial sense."