Motorway services rip-off highlighted

• Survey compares price of meal for four
• M4's Moto services at Reading worst offender
• M&S Simply Food shops draw some praise

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Motorway service stations are charging more than double the price of supermarkets for meals, according to a new survey.

The research, by traffic information website keepmoving.co.uk, investigated more than 60 service stations in England and Wales, and compared the price of a basic lunch for a family of four against the same meal bought at a supermarket, where it cost £12.24.

The worst performing service stations were:
1 M4 Moto WHS, J11-12 at Reading £26.68
2 M4 Moto WHS, J47 at Swansea £25.72
3 M6 Moto WHS, J35-36 at Burton-in-Kendal £25.72
4 M5 Welcome Break, J21-22 at Sedgemoor North £25.56
5 M4 Moto WHS, J2-3 at Heston £25.32
6 M4 Moto WHS, J13 at Chieveley £25.32
7 M4 Moto WHS, J17-18 at Leigh Delamere £25.32
8 M4 Moto WHS, J33 at Cardiff £25.32
9 M5 Moto WHS, J24 at Bridgewater £25.32
10 M40 Moto WHS, J10 at Cherwell Valley £25.32

The survey also criticised the fact that the retailers didn't sell the same products across their stores, that only 11 of the shops tested sold fruit, and that many only offered larger packets of crisps.

Only M&S's Simply Food shops at Moto Service Stations got any praise, for having a consistent range of products and sandwiches that were up to £1.44 cheaper than those offered in WH Smiths outlets on the same sites.