Half of Brits (52%) are worried about being able to afford their heating bills this winter, with one in ten (11%) concerned about a close relative being able to pay their bills, according to new research by Which? Switch.

Last year's cold winter has the majority of us (87%) thinking about our heating bills, with consumers planning a number of ways to minimise the impact of heating costs on their finances if this winter proves equally harsh.

Seven in ten people plan to put on extra clothes while indoors to keep bills to a minimum while half take energy efficiency measures such as blocking drafts under doors and windows, (49%) and four in ten (42%) will have a warm drink or meal.

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Three in ten will try to switch energy supplier or check for a cheaper tariff with their current supplier to cut bills.

People are also prepared to make sacrifices in the face of big fuel bills. One in five (19%) will spend less on Christmas presents, 17% plan to cut back on leisure activities and 13% will either dip into their own or their children’s savings to stay warm this winter.

Which? Chief Executive, Peter Vicary-Smith, said: "As temperatures drop, many people will be worrying about the cost of heating their homes this winter and thinking of ways to cut costs.

"Whilst there's nothing you can do about the weather or the price of energy, you can save hundreds of pounds a year on your energy bill switching to the cheapest available tariff."

(CD/KMcA)