very thirsty and loss of power

went to work in my dse today and it lost power then cut then a bit of a pain to start then it got me to work then on the way home it done the same but this time it cut out 7 times and was down on power sometimes it would splutter and if you held your foot down it would pick up but not as it does normally every time it was a pain to start i have tried a new fuel filter. I done approx 50 miles to work and back and it used 1/4 tank of fuel, i know they like a drink but that was more then a drink more like a binge any ideas, thanks