Petrol sales have been cut by a fifth as British motorists ditch their cars amid rising fuel costs.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said that “British motorists are clearly driving less” after crude oil prices doubling in the last year.

According to IEA, drivers are choosing public transport as cars become too expensive to run.

The cost of a litre of petrol has shot up from 92.8p in March 2007 to 106.8p in March 2008 and to almost 117p now.

Adding to the fuel furore is a four-day strike by Shell tanker drivers, expected to begin on Friday over a pay dispute.

If it goes ahead, 1 in ten UK petrol stations could run out of fuel.