THE cost of diesel has rocketed to an all-time high, leaving haulage companies and other transport businesses facing an uphill struggle.

The cost has hit 143p a litre on average, and is as high as 145.9p in the county.

The cost of filling up a commercial van with an 80-litre fuel tank has risen from £90.90 in February 2010 to £114.44.

Eddie Feighery, from Gloucester, owns E.F. Transport Services and said that since he started the business nearly seven years ago, the price of diesel has almost doubled.

It was 80 to 85p per litre in 2005.

He said: "I'm very fortunate that my customers realise the problems I'm encountering, and have adjusted their prices accordingly.

"But other small transport companies may not be so lucky."

The price hikes come after disruption in the Middle East oil supplies – and it could mean there will be more rises by Easter.

Moves by Iran to stop sending oil to the UK and France have pushed the price of crude oil to a nine month high spelling more bad news for motorists.

Iran was reacting after the European Union imposed sanctions on it amid fears it is trying to develop nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, the cost of petrol is also on the rise, having reached an average £135.39 per litre – up from £132.25 at the beginning of January.

However, it is currently still below the record average of £137.43 set in May last year.