RURAL communities across Cumbria are to benefit from lower fuel prices at the pumps.

This week, supermarket retailer ASDA was the first to announce the fall in unleaded prices, with other retail giants such as Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons quick to follow suit.

But it's not all good news as diesel prices remain unchanged, with ASDA citing that 'wholesale costs haven't moved' for the fuel.

The average UK fuel prices had spiralled in recent weeks, reaching £1.31 per a litre of petrol and £1.35 for diesel.

The last time fuel was more expensive was July 2014.

According to petrolprices.com, the cheapest unleaded fuel could be found at the ASDA and Morrisons supermarkets for 126.7p per litre.

The cheapest diesel can be found at ASDA and Morrisons for 130.7p per litre.

News of the decrease has delighted two Cumbrian groups who have pushed for more to be done to combat fuel poverty in rural areas.

Libby Graham, fundraising co-coordinator from the Northern Fells Group, said: "This is very good news for business, agriculture, the wider community and our users who are spread over a 200-square mile upland area, many living in isolated cottages or farms.

"Living in rural areas such as this means that everyone is totally dependent on their cars - to gain access to public services including their school or GP, shops and their social interaction.

"For many people they need a car journey each day just to buy a litre of milk or a newspaper - much easier in an urban area.

"Public transport is very limited and the cost of fuel in a major issue here, so anything to reduce fuel costs is welcome."

Lorrainne Smyth, chief executive of ACTion for Communities in Cumbria said: "Accessing essential services is a fundamental challenge for the 53 per cent of the Cumbria population who live in rural communities.

"It is recognised from national research that travel costs take up a considerable portion of rural people's income.

"This small reduction in fuel costs should ease some of that burden and also be beneficial to the network of Community Transport groups and voluntary car scheme drivers across the country."

Over the past six months, the cost of filling up a typical 55-litre family car that runs on petrol or diesel has risen by around £6.

Government data published on Tuesday showed that for the first time in three months, there was no weekly increase in the price of petrol, while the rise in diesel slowed to 0.2p per litre.