IN the last Budget, the Chancellor knocked two pence off a litre of petrol. After that, at certain petrol stations, one could purchase petrol at 71.5p per litre. Now the same stations are selling at 76.9p per litre.

When one questions this massive hike, the information given is that a massive explosion has almost destroyed a refinery.

Being inquisitive, I asked how many refineries are working in England and was told there are dozens.

The assumption is that the oil companies who own almost half of England's assets are filling their already overflowing purses.

I feel that government intervention to protect petrol and diesel users from this exploitation is long overdue. I wonder, could this become an election issue?

Not a cat in hell's chance.

FRANCIS CROSS, Royds Street, Accrington.