AS the weather gets colder and households in Darlington turn up their heating, many will be worrying about how to pay their energy bills.

However, there is help out there, which is why I’m encouraging anyone struggling to keep warm this winter to call the free Home Heat Helpline on 0800-336-699 or visit homeheathelpline.org.uk to see if they are eligible for help with their energy bills I remember all too well the worry of colder weather and the bills I couldn’t pay when I was starting out, so I have huge empathy for anyone who is struggling to keep warm this winter.

More than one-in-ten households in Darlington (5,000 households) are eligible for some kind of help, so they’ve got nothing to lose – and possibly lots to gain.

Fiona Phillips, TV presenter.