Britons face price hikes and energy shortages as Ukraine crisis threatens UK supplies #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

MOTORISTS are paying more for petrol due to the crisis in Ukraine.

Motorists will have to pay more for their petrol[GETTY]

Households also face price hikes and energy shortages, as the rising tensions between the West and Russia threaten gas supplies to the UK.

Petrol has risen above 130p a litre for the first time since January – and experts predict it will increase by another 2p in coming weeks.

Unfortunately we are likely to see a 2p increase in the weeks ahead

RAC spokesman Simon Williams

They blame nervous traders who have bought up crude oil stocks, pushing up the price per barrel and the cost of filling up the family car.

Petrol prices dropped to a three-year low of 129.82p a litre in January. By yesterday they had risen to an average of 130.17p. Diesel remained relatively low at 136.39p.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “Unfortunately we are likely to see a 2p increase in the weeks ahead.” It comes as Russian gas exporter Gazprom last night warned that further Western sanctions over Ukraine could disrupt energy supplies to Europe.

Mark Todd of energyhelpline said: “Disruption in the supply can lead to panic buying by traders pushing up prices…There is potentially an issue of shortages.”