Average prices for home heating oil in Northern Ireland rose sharply over the past week. The price for 500 litres increased 80% from £307.38 on February 26 to £555.59. Data comes from the Consumer Council's weekly price checker, updated Thursdays.

Other volumes saw similar gains. The 900-litre average climbed 75% from £536.72 to £948.41. For 300 litres, prices rose 71% from £202.12 to £347.19.

Regional differences appear in the figures. Fermanagh and Omagh records the highest 500-litre price at £569.25, which sits £13.66 above the average. Derry City and Strabane lists 500 litres at £537.30, £18.29 below average.

For 900 litres, Fermanagh and Omagh tops the list at £972.05, £23.64 over the average. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon offers the lowest at £936, £12.41 under average.

Newry City, Mourne and Down charges £358 for 300 litres, £10.81 above average. Derry City and Strabane prices 300 litres at £333.99, £13.20 below average.

Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council, said Northern Ireland imports all its home heating oil and depends on global markets affected by various factors including geopolitical tensions. The Consumer Council stated crude oil prices keep rising with short-term uncertainty.