FLEET operators looking for the cheapest fuel in their area can now obtain details of the best value petrol stations over the telephone from fuelcard specialist Harpur UK, which runs Dialcard and Overdrive. Harpur customers, both drivers and fleet managers, can call the Fuel Check phone line (0891 647790) and receive instant, up-to-date prices for any area in the UK, by quoting a postcode, or name of the town, city or village.

The search can go up to a 15-mile radius. Calls cost 50p per minute, and Harpur claims the average call will be less than 60 seconds, and rarely longer than two minutes. The premium rate phone line has been introduced to cover the administration costs of running the service, and Harpur claims the savings will far outweigh the cost of calls.

Recent research has shown that some towns have variations of up to 8p per litre between the cheapest and most expensive filling stations. Carl Clump, managing director of Harpur, said: 'On average fuel prices have risen by 6p per litre/36.3p per gallon since the Budget in early July, so controlling costs is more important than ever.'