Motorists spared next autumn's planned fuel duty rise have received more good news in the shape of cheaper diesel prices.

First, supermarket Sainsbury's said it was reducing the price of its diesel by up to 2p a litre from today (Tuesday March 26).

Then rival Asda also announced a diesel decrease of 2p a litre from the same day.

Richard Crampton, Sainsbury's head of fuel, said: "We know that fuel is a big part of our customers' budgets and therefore we are pleased to announce this cut."

Asda said drivers filling up at its pumps would, from tomorrow, pay no more than 139.7p a litre for diesel. It added that its petrol remained at no more than 134.7p a litre.

Andy Peake, Asda's petrol trading director, said: "When we do drop prices, we drop them everywhere, setting a maximum national price cap for our customers meaning they all benefit from our low prices, regardless of where they live and are travelling to this Easter weekend."

The autumn fuel duty rise was scrapped last week by Chancellor George Osborne in his Budget.