The price of diesel at the pumps has returned to around its highest level of the year, according to the AA.

The average cost of a litre of diesel is now 123.07p compared with the 2010 high of 123.08p reached in May, the AA said.

Diesel has risen 1.77p a litre from mid-October to mid-November while petrol has gone up 1.33p a litre to 119.08p.

The AA said the stronger pound had prevented prices going even higher, with petrol still not as expensive as the year-high figure of 121.6p a litre reached in May.

Increased pump prices were largely blamed earlier this week for the October inflation figure of 3.2%.

The cheapest region for petrol is Yorkshire and Humberside, where average prices are 118.2p a litre. Northern Ireland and London remain the most expensive areas for petrol at 119.7p a litre.

Wales and Northern Ireland share the spot for most expensive diesel in the UK at 123.6p a litre while Yorkshire and Humberside (122.3p) has the cheapest.

AA president Edmund King said: "Knife-edge, dread and uncertainty are the words describing the state of UK fuel prices at present.

"The stronger pound has shielded drivers and consumers from the worst of the market changes. However, the fall-out from next January's increase in fuel duty and higher VAT doesn't bode well for inflation figures and sterling, if this week's market reaction is anything to go by.

"At street level, a steady increase in pump prices, impending higher domestic energy bills and even reduced reward points for supermarket fuel purchases add to the sense of dread for the coming months."