FLEETS are facing rocketing fuel costs following a hike in unleaded petrol prices of 10p a gallon last Friday, and predictions of a similar increase this week. This sees the average price of a gallon of unleaded petrol increase from £3.23 (71.03p per litre) last Thursday to £3.41 (75ppl) to date.

It follows a 40p a gallon price rise in unleaded petrol since the March Budget. Oil companies are blaming a doubling of crude oil prices caused by the OPEC cartel of oil-rich Middle Eastern countries restricting supply to boost profits.