Fancy an excuse for a holiday? Well, if so, this is your chance. A recent survey from the UK Post Office Services says motorists will find the cheapest fuel in Spain and Switzerland. Switzerland is the only one out of 12 European destinations where unleaded fuel cost less than £1 a litre, and driving in Spain is the best value for diesel and hire car drivers.

This research comes hand in hand with recent panic in the UK over last-ditch talks to avert a strike by 641 tanker drivers who supply one in ten UK petrol stations. Despite pleas from Prime Minister Gordon Brown for motorists to stay calm , industry experts believe the move will backfire and that in the next 48 hours before Friday’s 6am deadline for strike action, motorists in parts of the country will rush to the pumps.

The UK was sixth on the value for money list, but it showed the largest underlying price increase for the year to June for unleaded petrol. Austria is third on the list with unleaded fuel costing £1.02 per litre and Sweden fourth with £1.11. In the end of the list is Norway where unleaded fuel costs £1.40.

The dispute in the UK involves 500 drivers employed by Hoyer UK and 141 by Suckling Transport, who are sole suppliers for Shell. Times online writes that Shell forecourts are to receive deliveries of oil which can last four days. As long as motorists stick to usual buying patterns there should not be a shortage. Even if there is a strike, tankers will be back on the roads from 6am next Tuesday. Otherwise…you just have to head South!

For more information on global oil click here.