Horners, the Greater Manchester multi-franchised group, this week supported the 'Dump the Pump' campaign to force down filling station prices.

Motorists were encouraged to stop buying petrol for 24 hours as a protest against the rising cost of fuel. Campaigners want motorists to register their protest one day a week.

Geoff Fisher, general manager at Horners' Manchester Rover dealership, said: “We felt it was important to support this national initiative, which hopefully will persuade the Government to reduce petrol costs.

“In the US, the public rallied in support of a similar campaign which had a knock-on affect on lowering petrol prices.” Mr Fisher said Government action to raise fuel prices to discourage car use was not working - it was increasing.

Tesco and Sainsbury's have cut prices below 80p a litre. BP and Shell this week said their cuts were a reaction to falling commodity prices, not supermarket action.