Caravan Insurance

Diesel prices have risen by almost 10p per litre in the course of a year, according to the AA Motoring Trust.

The average price for a litre of diesel was 93.54p this month, compared to 84.78p in January 2005.

Petrol prices have risen by a similar amount in the same period, increasing from 79.64p to 89.35p.

Overall the figures mean that the average motorist will spend approximately £340 more on fuel this year than last.

Furthermore, diesel cost approximately 4p more than petrol throughout 2005, a trend which, should it continue, might deter people from investing the extra amount in vehicles that produce fewer carbon emissions, according to petrol price analyst, Ruth Bridger.

Fuel prices in the UK have reflected the volatile situation in the Middle East over the last couple of years, and Ms Bridger predicts that this will only continue to be the case as pressure mounts on Iran over its nuclear ambitions.

"Oil market speculators showed themselves to be extremely jittery last year and motorists must expect crude oil and car fuel prices to be very volatile," she said.

Supply problems caused by west coast hurricanes in the US have also pushed up prices in the last year.