AVERAGE fuel prices have risen by more than 3p per litre in three weeks, new analysis shows, PA transport correspondent Neil Lancefield writes.

The RAC said the average price of a litre of petrol increased by 3.2p from 140.0p on January 29 to 143.3p on Monday.

Diesel prices have also surged by 4.0p per litre over the same period, from 148.0p to 152.0p.

It follows a three-month downward trend in fuel prices up to mid-January.

According to the website Petrol Prices, in North Somerset, some of the cheapest places to buy unleaded fuel include Esso Bristol Road (Touts Nailsea) at 139.9p, Tesco Nailsea at 141.9p and Sainsbury's Worle, Weston's Tesco and Clevedon's Tesco, which all cost 142.9p.

The Shell garage on Winterstoke Road and BP in Clevedon (Clevedon SF Connect) are some of the most expensive, at 146.9p and 147.9p respectively.

The pump price hikes have been attributed to a jump in the price of oil, which has been trading above 80 US dollars a barrel for most of the last four weeks.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “News that fuel prices have bottomed out and are now on the rise again is bad for drivers, and possibly the economy and future inflation rates too.

“While we’re not expecting prices to shoot up dramatically, it appears that oil is trading up, which in the absence of a stronger pound means wholesale fuel is costing more for retailers to buy in.

“The result is higher prices at the pump and more expense for the every-day driver.

“The Red Sea attacks by Houthi rebels, which are forcing tankers to avoid the Suez Canal and instead go round South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, are clearly playing their part, but so have global refinery maintenance closures, the start of America’s driving season and UK retailers buying more fuel stocks ahead of the Budget to protect against a possible fuel duty hike by the Chancellor.

“Despite these factors, we ought not to see forecourt prices go up too much more from where they are today, but a lot depends on how much margin the biggest retailers decide to take,” Mr Williams added.