The amount of petrol used by drivers in France during August has dropped 17% on the same time last year.

Diesel consumption also fell 10.6% putting the general fall in fuel use to 12.3% - a new record drop in France.

The figures were published by Ufip the Union Française des Industries Pétrolières.

Industry figures have expressed surprise that the drop in consumption is continuing despite the cheaper price of fuel and the fact that August is traditionally a month for travelling on holiday.

Photo:Kiril Havezov