Petrol prices highest for eight months

Petrol pump prices have jumped by 2p a litre to their highest level for eight months, a survey revealed today.

Unleaded now costs an average of 76.79p a litre (£3.49 a gallon) with diesel also up to an eight-month high of 78.34p - the same as during the Iraq conflict in May.

After a period of stability since prices for unleaded fell in July to 74.6p per litre (£3.39 a gallon), the recent rise in oil costs is starting to be felt on the forecourts, according to fleet and fuel management company Arval PHH.

The cheapest petrol last month was in Neston, Cheshire, at an average 71.5p per litre, while the most expensive was on the Isle of Lewis at 84.9p.