FUEL prices have reached a three-and-a-half year high, new figures show.

Average forecourts prices stand at £1.24 per litre for petrol and £1.28 per litre for diesel, Government data reveals.

These are the highest amounts since November 2014, Press Association analysis found.

In the past four weeks alone, the cost of petrol and diesel has risen by around four pence per litre.

The AA claimed an "astonishing gap" of five pence per litre has opened up between the petrol prices charged by supermarkets and oil company filling stations, which are more expensive.

Oil market speculators predicted last week that a barrel of oil could return to 100 US dollars.

READ MORE: Taunton petrol prices 'among cheapest in England'

AA president Edmund King said: "AA research has shown that nearly two in every five drivers are already cutting back on car use, non-fuel spending or both.

"But what is even more disturbing are predictions of oil above 100 US dollars by banks and investment funds pouring money into the market."

According to petrolprices.com, the five cheapest places for unleaded fuel in Somerset (within 25 miles of Taunton) are:

  • Sainsbury's Taunton: 113.9p per litre
  • Sainsbury's Hankridge Farm, Taunton: 113.9p per litre
  • Morrisons Taunton: 114.7p per litre
  • Asda Bridgwater Automat: 115.7p per litre
  • Sainsbury's Bridgwater: 115.9p per litre