Pembrokeshire has lost 20 per cent of its petrol stations in the last 10 years, the Conservatives can reveal.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by parliamentary candidate Simon Hart show that whereas there were 218 filling stations in 1998, there are now only 177.
Despite Government assurances there has also been a 24 per cent drop in the number of primary schools in the county - fuelling fears of an over- centralisation of services.
"Over the last 10 years, it is worrying to see that public services have become fewer and fewer which means that people in rural areas are having to travel further and further," said Mr. Hart.
"When it comes to small schools, amalgamation is not always a bad thing, but we have to recognise that any closure means people having to travel further."
He claimed supermarkets were largely to blame for the demise of rural petrol stations.
"There's very little money to be made in selling petrol, but garages are often vital lifelines for rural communities as they sell other goods as well. "There has been a worrying decline in rural services, not just garages and schools, but also post offices and shops, under this Government."