LONDON - The country might be sliding towards its first recession since the early 1990s, but Britons are more concerned by the cost of petrol than by the faltering economy, according to a poll on Thursday.

The Tickbox poll of 1,134 British motorists, found 66 percent are most worried about petrol prices compared to the economy (64 percent), knife crime (49 percent), terrorism (37 percent) and the housing market (26 percent).

Over one in 10 would even consider emigrating to escape the UK's relatively high fuel costs, which are the fourth highest in the European Union.

"This study highlights a very real concern for millions of British drivers," said group consumer editor of What Car? magazine Peter Lawton.

"Britons are getting a very raw deal compared to the rest of Europe, so current reductions in fuel prices need to continue.

The average British petrol price fell over the weekend below one pound a litre for the first time in almost a year, the AA said earlier this week.

Average petrol prices soared to the record high of almost 1.20 pounds a litre in mid-July, when Brent crude oil touched an all-time high of $147.50 (S$216.38) a barrel.

In the search for cheaper petrol, over half the population would drive up to 10 minutes out of their way to top up their tank, while 39 percent are prepared to drive for up to 20 minutes if it means they can find a better price.

A third of Britons have cut down on their weekend travelling by car and 44 percent expect the price of petrol in the future will mean average people will be limited to going on public transport.

The survey, for TomTom satellite navigation, was carried out in the first two weeks of October.

(Reporting by John Joseph; Editing by Steve Addison)