MOTORISTS in Greater Manchester are paying below the national average for fuel, according to a report today.

Unleaded petrol in the area costs an average of 75.45p, compared to 77.1p nationally.

Drivers who buy diesel are, at 76.62p, also paying lower than the national average of 78.5p for their fuel, claims the Regional Fuel Price Report, commissioned by Fuel-Cards.co.uk. Prices over the past few months have remained static, the report found. Petrol has risen by just 0.01p since October 7 and diesel increased by 0.09p.

Survey author Teresa Maynard said: "Pump prices have not moved much in most of Britain, despite last month's tax increase.

"World oil stocks are currently higher than expected and this is helping to keep petrol prices down, although motorists are likely to see them rise again as colder weather and OPEC production cuts come into play over the next few weeks."

The cheapest place to buy fuel in Greater Manchester is at Whalley Range, where the average price of unleaded petrol is 73.5p per litre. The most expensive is currently Urmston, where petrol is an average of 81.9p per litre.