MADAM, You would expect competition to bring prices down on a product but petrol appears to be that rare commodity which can work in reverse, with competitors watching each other like hawks and charging what they can get away with.

This clearly works in Leominster (and perhaps in Hereford) where Leominster is continually top of the pricing range.

You would query who is leading the over-pricing in this area but also why other retailers are not undercutting on such obvious overcharging.

Leominster residents will be paying anything up to 6p per litre more than they need, in nearby Ludlow, pricing is 3p per litre lower and prices of 73.9 can be found near Telford and Wrexham.

Consequently, the usual excuses of oil prices and $ exchange rates clearly do not apply and areas such as Leominster are being manipulated into a consistently overpriced product.

Ask yourselves if you expect to pay different prices for your daily newspaper according to where you live or shop?

Leominster is not out in the wilds (despite the ridiculously under-developed A49) and yet its pricing exceeds some outlets in the heart of Snowdonia! The old rule applies, shop around and don't be manipulated by the local retailers.

ROBERT LEIVERS,

Turnpike Road, Yarpole, Leominster.