litre.

Kerosene and diesel have also risen by 1.1 cents a litre and 0.6 cents a litre respectively.

The increases reflect international pressures on the market, and are not thought by experts to be part of an upward trend.

A Minister of Finance spokesman said yesterday a contraction in the supply of crude oil was one factor.

This was caused by members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries sticking to quota limits.

A steep increase in the price of the UK's North Sea Brent oil also had a bearing.

"Crude oil is actually a good marker to go by,'' the Government spokesman explained.

He added gas price rises did not have a big impact on the consumer price index.