Brent crude futures end higher on weaker dollar

NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Brent crude oil futures ended more than 1 percent higher on Friday as the dollar fell against the euro on confidence in European recovery, and on recent tightness in North Sea oil supplies.

In London, ICE Brent crude for March delivery <LCOH1> settled up $1.02, or 1.06 percent, at $97.60 a barrel, after trading from $96.26 to $97.86.

Brent crude's premium over U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose to $8.49 a barrel, from $6.99 at the close on Thursday. The Brent/WTI spread earlier blew up to $8.59, the widest since February 2009.

For the week, front-month Brent crude fell $1.08, or 1.09 percent, from the $98.68 settlement on Jan. 14. (Reporting by Gene Ramos)