CASH-STRAPPED Worcester householders fearing their heating bills this winter have been urged to seek help - with one councillor admitting she is worried about a crisis.

Councillor Lynn Denham says she is concerned too many city people will be "sliding further into debt" and left "frightened to turn the heating on" as the weather turns ever colder.

The Labour politicians represents the Cathedral ward, which takes in the entire city centre and includes some of the lowest-income households in Worcester.

She also insists not enough work has been done at the city council to help people switch energy bills.

Last year one member of staff was instructed to work on a project to help struggling householders with energy bills, but it has not progressed yet.

Despite that around a third of the 1,400 people helped over the last year by a crisis grant project, known as the welfare assistance scheme, have been in trouble with their heating bills.

Speaking during a full council meeting, Cllr Denham asked the leader Councillor Simon Geraghty for his views.

She said: "The project officer who did all the work on this has now left the council.

"Winter temperatures are here and historically nearly a third of payments from the South Worcestershire welfare assistance scheme made by this council are for help with energy bills.

"What assurance can the leader give to those who are sliding further into debt and frightened to turn their heating on, that his administration cares?"

Cllr Geraghty said: "I'd want to reassure people that they should not be afraid to turn on their heating.

"There is a lot of help out there and we can and should signpost people in the right direction.

"I'd encourage anyone who is having problems with their bills to contact the suppliers because nobody should have to suffer in the cold."

Cllr Denham used to be Labour's cabinet member for safer and stronger communities until June, when the Conservatives wrestled back control.

The debate comes as a new survey reveals how than 15 million UK households plan to ration their energy use this winter to cope with the costs.

Price comparison website uSwitch, which surveyed 5,300 people, found that almost six in 10 people have already cut back or plan to ration their energy use this winter in a bid to reduce bills.

The research also revealed that more than a third of people who rationed their energy last winter said it affected their health and wellbeing.