FUEL prices are increasing this month following an across-all-brands rise of almost 10p a gallon at the end of July, according to the latest PHH AllStar fuel price report.

The rise is still coming into effect in some garages and Keith Greenhead, PHH's divisional manager fuel, said: 'The effects of this rise will begin to be felt during August, although motorists are still paying less for their fuel than they did this time last year, when a gallon of unleaded at £2.49 was 2p more than today's £2.47. At the beginning of July, fuel prices were still falling. The price war has adversely affected all fuel retailers, particularly independent garage owners, and the decision to put up prices by 2p a litre seems to be an attempt to take the pressure off forecourts throughout the UK.'

Highest and lowest pump prices across 38 cities according to PHH are: Diesel - lowest, Southampton 235.34p a gallon, highest, Belfast 268.07p. Super unleaded - lowest, Bradford 251.8p, highest, Aberystwyth 288.8p. Unleaded - lowest, Edinburgh 233.16p, highest, Buxton 261.07p. Four star - lowest, Halifax 259.3p, highest, Buxton 283.94p.