A UK-based heating firm has apologised to customers after charging significantly higher prices amid the conflict in Iran. Goff, based in Wymondham, Norfolk, told customers they could only keep their existing orders if they agreed to pay a higher price as global energy prices soared because of Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month. The company said buyers unwilling to pay the higher costs could either cancel their orders and be refunded or wait for their oil to be delivered after the conflict dies down.

Some of Goff's 70,000-odd customers across East Anglia and the South East saw their heating oil prices double between February 28 and March 2, before the company backed down. A spokesperson said the temporary limit on supplies was due to "a refinery shutdown and our suppliers restricting volumes", adding that they now find themselves "in a better stock position".

Customers who paid the higher prices will be refunded, and those who cancelled their orders will have them reinstated at the original price upon request.

Goff told the Eastern Daily Press: "We are very aware that the volatility in wholesale oil prices causes by the speed and scale of the unprecedented events currently unfolding in Iran and the Gulf, and the impact of our earlier communications has, understandably, caused frustration and concern.

"We're genuinely sorry for this. We work on a just in time delivery basis, usually holding one to two days stock.

"Last week, we experienced further stock shortages due to a refinery shutdown and our suppliers restricting volumes. This week we find ourselves in a better stock position.

"As we value your custom enormously, we've chosen to take steps that support you even though they involve a significant cost to us - and we will be honouring your [orders], despite the wholesale price of fuel to use more than doubling."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that more than £50 million would be made available to low-income families who heat their homes using oil as prices continued to rocket on Monday.

Unlike gas and electricity customers, households which buy oil to heat their homes do not benefit from a price cap set by the watchdog Ofgem.

Local authorities will distribute funding worth £27 million in England, with the devolved governments allocated £17 million in Northern Ireland, £4.6 million in Scotland and £3.8 million in Wales.