Average fuel price hits $5 a gallon in US

Average petrol prices in the US have surged to $5 a gallon (Rick Bowmer/AP)

The average price for a gallon of petrol in America has topped 5 US dollars (£4.05) for the first time ever.

Car club AAA said while the average price on Saturday is 5 dollars, motorists in some parts of the country, especially California, are paying far above that.