AVERAGE fuel prices have risen by more than 3p per litre across the UK in the last three weeks, new analysis has revealed.

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 (February 19).

While diesel prices also jumped 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.

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.

With petrol prices on the rise, we've rounded up the cheapest place to fill up with petrol across Wirral, thanks to the PetrolPrices, to help you save a few pounds when you next go to fill up.

The cheapest places for petrol and diesel in Wirral

According to the PetrolPrices, these are the cheapest places to fill up with both unleaded and diesel fuel across Wirral:

BP New Chester Road (Old Hall Service Station) New Chester Road, CH64 8AB

Unleaded: 139.9p

Diesel: 149.9p

Asda Arrowe Park Automat, Woodchurch Road, CH49 5PD

Unleaded: 140.7p

Disel: 149.7p

Asda Bromborough, Welton Road, CH62 3QP

Unleaded: 140.7p

Diesel: 149.7p

Sainsburys Kings Road Bebington, Kings Road, CH63 8PZ

Unleaded: 140.9p

Diesel: 150.9p

Sainsburys Pensby Road Thingwall, Pensby Road, CH61 7UB

Unleaded: 140.9p

Diesel: 150.9p

Pensby Filling Station, Pensby Road, CH61 9NF

Unleaded: 141.9p

Diesel: 151.9p

Tesco Bidston Moss Extra, Bidston Link Road, CH43 7AA

Unleaded: 141.9p

Diesel: 152.9p

Lairds Service Station, New Chester Road, CH41 9BW

Unleaded: 142.7p

Diesel: 152.7p