Petrol prices start to soar

The average price for a litre of unleaded petrol has risen to 95p.

With the Government's April 1 fuel duty increase included, the price of unleaded has soared by 4.5p a litre in just one month.

Average price increases for the past month have risen faster than during the surge in the cost of crude oil last spring.

The rise in fuel prices has increased the cost of filling up your car's tank by an average of 2.23, which equates to around 9.65 extra each month for a two car family.

Diesel prices have not risen as sharply, though, with the cost per litre increasing by 2.92p to an average of 102.69 a litre.

Petrol is most expensive in Northern Ireland, where pump prices are averaging 96.4p a litre. The lowest prices can be found in north-west England, and in Yorkshire and Humberside, where the average is 94.6p a litre.

AA president Edmund King said: 'It's not clear whether it is the stock markets or the oil industry trying to pump up the value of oil. However, with laden tankers moored off-shore indicating major stock surpluses, there is growing concern that the fundamentals of supply and demand are not being reflected in prices.

'Increases in fuel duty by the Government are also contributing. Let's hope there is some good news for motorists in the form of a scrappage grant for older cars in next week's Budget.'