PETROL prices are creeping up at some Dorset filling stations, despite the chancellor's decision to freeze the two pence increase in fuel tax.

Alistair Darling's budget decision was welcomed by motorists earlier this month, and average unleaded petrol prices have since settled in the Bournemouth area at 106.2p per litre, and 114.1p per litre for diesel.

But some stations, particularly in remote parts of the county, are charging almost two pence more - the Rainbow Gulf station at Winfrith Newburgh is charging 108p per litre for unleaded and 115p for diesel.

Texaco's Wimborne Road filling station, Poole, is charging 107.9p per litre of unleaded and 115.9p per litre of diesel.

Driver Eddie Sharp, of Broadstone, said: "It doesn't surprise me that prices are going up on the quiet. I drive for a living and fuel costs can cripple my business.

"We all welcomed the brief respite we got from the chancellor, but it is obvious it was never going to last.

"It seems whether it is increases in tax, or individual garage owners' decisions, fuel on the whole just gets more and more expensive."

According to the website Petrolprices.com, the cheapest unleaded available in Bournemouth is 103p per litre at Shell's East Howe filling station, Kinson Road.

It is also 103p per litre for unleaded at Sainsbury's Talbot Heath station in Alder Road, Poole.