A filter element for liquids has an outer casing (10) within which is located a central tube (13). A filter medium (14) is located between the casing and the tube. Liquid enters the medium through apertures in an upper end plate (11) and the filtered liquid leaves the medium by way of apertures in a lower end plate (12). Mounted in the lower portion of the central tube (13) is a further tube (17) through which the filtered liquid can flow into the upper portion of the central tube. The upper end of the further tube (17) is joined by a wall (18) to the central tube and air which passes through the filter medium collects in a dead space (20) defined between the tubes. An air bleed orifice (19) formed in the wall (18) allows the air to pass at a controlled rate into the filtered fuel flowing in the central tube.