Motorists are paying more than £10 extra for a tank of fuel than they were at this time last year, according to new figures.

At the end of February, unleaded petrol cost an average of 120.23p a litre, an increase of 18.6p on the price a year ago of 101.65p.

Meanwhile, the price of a typical litre of diesel stood at 122.25p, while a year ago it was 101.31p, almost 21p less.

There was some good news for hard-pressed drivers during February, however, with the stats revealing that fuel prices were at least stable during the month.

And looking back to December 1, 2014, unleaded cost 121.18p a litre, while diesel was 126.11p – both figures higher than they are today.

It now costs £66.13 to fill an average petrol-powered family car, as opposed to £55.91 a year ago. Meanwhile a driver will be forking out £67.24 to fill a typical diesel-engined car, compared to £55.72 at the start of March last year. All figures assume a car has a 55-litre fuel tank.

Although they’re higher than they were a year ago, the recent stabilisation of prices has been put down to settled conditions in the markets.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “While the price of oil has shot up by 10 US dollars (£8.18) since the end of November when many oil-producing countries agreed to curb production, it appears to have settled around the 55 US dollars (£45) mark which will be a relief to motorists who no doubt felt forecourt prices were constantly heading in the wrong direction.

“Filling up an average car is sadly now £11 more expensive than a year ago.”