According to the RAC, the average price of a litre of petrol jumped from 135.87p on Friday to 136.59p on Sunday, the highest level since September 2013.

RAC fuel spokesman, Simon Williams, said: “When it comes to pump prices, it’s a pretty bleak picture for drivers.”

He added: “With the cost of oil rising and now near a three-year high, wholesale prices are being forced up which means retailers are paying more than they were just a few days ago for the same amount of fuel.”

Williams said forecourt prices could rise further in the coming days, irrespective of the current supply problems.

Some retailers have also been cashing-in on the panic-buying caused by fears of fuel shortages, the RAC said.

“We aware of a small number of retailers taking advantage of the current delivery situation by hiking prices, so we’d remind drivers to always compare the price they’re being asked to pay with the current UK averages which are 136.59p for petrol and 138.48p for diesel,” Williams said.