Filling station numbers dwindled by 6.3% last year to 9812, and there has been a drop of more than 20% since the end of 2001 as oil companies reduce their network size to streamline distribution.

Scotland was worst hit, losing 100 sites last year, 16.2% of its capacity, while East Anglia was the only region to increase numbers last year, adding seven new stations, according to fuel card supplier Arval, which claims a fleet of 100 business drivers are wasting up to 350 hours per year hunting for petrol stations.

"These figures further highlight the need for drivers to make fuel a planned rather than a distress purchase," said Arval's head of market analysis Mike Waters.

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