FUEL pumps on garage forecourts across the county have been tested to ensure customers are getting what they pay for.

Worcestershire County Council's Trading Standards officers discovered 96 per cent of pumps at the 45 stations tested were giving correct measures. Officers tested a total of 778 meters at small county garages, large supermarkets and motorway services.

Of the 30 meters found to have inconsistencies, 22 were outside accepted levels, with 19 dispensing measures below the legal tolerance.

The deficits in fuel given ranged between 0.6 per cent and 1.5 per cent, with a 1.5 per cent deficiency equating to consumers paying an extra 68 pence to fill a standard tank.

Problems found among the eight pumps which did dispense within the tolerance ranged from poor customer displays, nozzle leaks and meter leaks.

Follow up visits revealed that all of the faults had been repaired.

Dave Shaw, trading standards officer, said: "This is a good result for garages in Worcestershire.

"Accurate and reliable measurement is a fundamental requirement for both consumers and traders. Ensuring everyone has a fair measure is vital for consumer protection and ensuring businesses can compete fairly."

Officers check pumps as part of an annual inspection.