Like moths to a bright flame, local motorists have been clogging up the forecourt of Gordale Garden Centre's petrol station today as word spread that the place was flogging the stuff for as little as £1.69 per litre, with diesel coming in at £187.9.

It's hard to believe that these numbers conjur up the word 'cheap', but contrast them with the two Shell garages not that far away along the Chester High Road towards Heswall, where you need to fork out £189.9 and £198.9 respectively.

Gordale: Hooray!

But don't bank on these prices lasting long. Gordale says: "As a single independent retailer, selling petrol and diesel can be a rollercoaster. Our price changes with every delivery, nothing is guaranteed, and we have to react instantly to ensure that we remain viable. We always try to offer the best price locally wherever we can, but there are times when we cannot. We are truly grateful for the continued support of our loyal local customers, even though it sometimes may be cheaper elsewhere.

"The market has been extremely volatile since the early part of the year, but today is a good day. We are delighted to be able to offer petrol at 169.9 pence per litre and diesel at 187.9 ppl. We can't promise it will last forever, but whilst the going is good, we are happy to pass on the drop in wholesale fuel prices to our lovely customers.

"If we get busy, please be patient and kind to our lovely colleagues

"If you're coming for our very reasonably priced fuel, please remember to visit our lovely garden centre too."

So that's the idea - fill up your tank with cheaper fuel and then be tempted to spend lavishly on a boot full of begonias, bushes, secateurs and compost.

But who cares? In these difficult times something that feels like decent value gets one's motor running.

Shell: Boooooo!