Unleaded petrol prices in Bristol are close to breaching the £1.10-a-litre barrier as the cost of fuel continues to rise in the run up to Christmas.

Prices on forecourts for unleaded petrol and diesel have crept up by a few pence per litre since September and risen by a staggering 26 per cent since the start of the year.

In Bristol, motorists are being charged up to 109.9p-a-litre for unleaded and 111.9p for diesel, with prices likely to increase again in the new year when the Government imposes a planned 2.5 per cent increase in VAT.

The lowest fuel prices can be found at the Sainsbury's petrol station in Broomfield Road Link, Brislington, where unleaded costs 104.9p per litre and diesel 105.9p.

With fuel prices at their highest since September 2008, Hugh Bladon, founder of the Association of British Drivers, said it might make for a tough Christmas for some families.

Mr Bladon, 68, from Weston-super-Mare, said: "It's pushing to £5 a gallon for unleaded. People will be thinking they can either pay for a tank of petrol or buy a Christmas present for their kids.

"The people affected the most will be the poorest in our society.

"The prices are being affected by the slump in the pound because the price of a barrel of oil is in dollars. Another reason is that British motorists are being taxed out of their skins.

"This increase will also lead to petrol stations selling less fuel because people will be cutting back a bit." Petrolprices.com said average petrol prices in England were at 108.7p a litre at the start of the week – with the highest price in the country 119.9p. Diesel was at an average 110p, with the highest 122.9p.

Prices reached their peak in July last year when a litre of petrol was 119.5p and a litre of diesel 133.1p.

RAC spokesman John Franklin said: "The festive season is a very expensive time.

"With the £5-a-gallon mark expected to be hit before Christmas, many families are likely to think twice about visiting family and friends."

● Sainsbury's, Brislington – 104.9 pence for unleaded and 105.9 pence for diesel

● Asda, Patchway – 105.9p and 106.9p

● Morrisons, Fishponds – 105.9p and 106.9p

● Tesco, Eastville – 106.9p and 107.9p

● Murco, Hampton Road, Redland – 107.9p and 108.9p

● Silvey's M32 service station, Bristol city centre – 108.9p and 111.9p

Shell, Hartcliffe Way – 109.9p and 111.9p