Rising fuel prices are forcing many motorists to drive their cars with barely any fuel in their tanks which has culminated in an increase in the number of vehicles breaking down.

Research by Britannia Rescue has shown that in the last three months, 340,000 drivers have suffered a breakdown due to running out of fuel. This is an increase of 10%.  

The average UK motorist has to fork out £50 to completely fill the tank, a rise of £11.50 from 2007.

Emma Holyer, spokesperson for Britannia Rescue, said: "Increases in fuel prices are hitting drivers hard, especially against a background of rising food and housing costs.

"But whilst it is now more costly to fill up at the pumps running a car on empty can damage a car's fuel pump - requiring repairs that will make a full tank of £50 petrol seem like a bargain.''

She concluded: "Drivers who run their car on empty are also at high risk of breaking down. Not only is this extremely costly if you don't have breakdown cover and also very inconvenient, running out of fuel on the roads that don't have a hard shoulder can create major safety hazards for other drivers."