FLEETS could be paying tens of thousands of pounds a year more for their fuel than rival companies, just because of the location of their drivers, new research has revealed.

A nationwide survey of fuel price hot spots has revealed that a 100-strong fleet could be paying up to £30,000 more per year for its fuel than competitors in nearby towns.

The research by ARVAL PHH has pinpointed the cheapest 10 towns to fill up in the UK, based on fuel prices during February.

Neston, South Wirral, tops the chart with average fuel prices for unleaded of 68.1pence per litre last month. St Blazey, Cornwall, came second with a cost of 68.3ppl and third was Didsbury, Manchester, with 68.4ppl.

Nationally, the average price of unleaded fuel was 70.44ppl, with the most expensive location Port Isaac in Cornwall and a neighbour of one of the cheapest sites, offering fuel at an average 78.5ppl.

For a fleet of 100 vehicles, each covering 20,000 business miles a year, achieving an average 30mpg, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive fuel is more than £30,000 a year.

Martin Hender, director of fuel at ARVAL PHH, said: 'There are several reasons why some towns have cheaper fuel than others. One of the most important factors is the level of competition in any given area.

'Additionally, several of the towns above are situated near oil refineries, so lower transport costs mean lower final cost to the motorist.'

The national average price of diesel was 74.72ppl, with the cheapest price in Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, at 70.90ppl, while the most expensive was Wick, Caithness, where it cost 83.48ppl.

The survey also reveals the benefits of LPG, with the national average price standing at 36.49ppl, although Oldham provides the cheapest fuel, at 33.4ppl. Wolverhampton is the most expensive, with a price of 39.9ppl, which is still 42% cheaper than the lowest priced unleaded in the country.

Top 10 cheapest sites for unleaded petrol

1. Neston, South Wirral 68.1ppl
2. St Blazey, Cornwall 68.3ppl
3. Didsbury, Manchester 68.4ppl
4. Whitburn, Tyne & Wear 68.4ppl
5. Evesham, Worcestershire 68.53ppl
6. Thanet, Kent 68.6ppl
7. Arnold, Nottinghamshire 68.7ppl
8. Lower Kilburn, Derbyshire 68.7ppl
9. Middlesbrough, Teesside 68.7ppl
10. Greenhithe, Kent 68.75ppl
Source: ARVAL PHH.