Petrol climbs another 6c

Record international prices for crude oil led to BP, Mobil and Caltex raising their charges by 6c yesterday to 218.9c for 91-octane unleaded and 191.9c for diesel.

Mobil and Caltex raised their price for 95-octane fuel to 223.9c. BP's 95-octane price was a cent dearer.

The Automobile Association said the increases were "inevitable" after the crude oil price hit US$140 a barrel last week.

BP spokeswoman Diana Stretch said international prices had risen 7.5 per cent since June 26.

Mobil spokesman Alan Bailey said the underlying pressure on prices - high world demand - meant the company had to raise its charges.

"It just got to the point where we had to [recover] the cost of supply."

AA spokesman Mark Stockdale said most motorists would be disappointed but not surprised by yet another price increase.

"I think motorists understand when crude prices hit a new record, it's eventually going to hurt.

"We're hoping that if the crude price falls, the reverse will be true."

A spokesman for Gull said it had no plans to raise prices as "consumers are hurting enough", but the situation would be monitored.