Motorway fuel price signs will not be rolled out across the network, after a pilot scheme failed to deliver the hoped for benefits, Highways England has announced.

Signs showing the price of fuel at up-coming motorway service stations were introduced on a section of the M5 between Bristol and Exeter in 2016.

At the time government ministers said they were aware motorists were concerned about the price of petrol at service stations, and it was hoped the signs would make it easier to plan their breaks around the cheapest deals.

However, in its report, Highways England said: "The results show that although the service was reliable, there has been no significant positive effect on the behaviour of the travelling public there was no economic impact on the price of fuel or the volume of sales."

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "We had hoped this trial would help to promote an element of competition among motorway services’ fuel operators, but sadly all it’s proved is that motorway fuel is extremely expensive wherever you buy it.

"This has been a very costly trial that has unfortunately confirmed that motorway service area operators take advantage of drivers having to make ’distressed’ fuel purchases."