Nearly four in 10 adults still don't seek professional advice or support when struggling to pay their energy bills - because of the stigma around asking for help. A poll of 2,000 adults found 35 per cent at least sometimes struggle to pay their energy bills, but many are doing so in silence. It emerged 51 per cent find it difficult to talk about their struggle, rising from 35 per cent last year.

With the stigma or embarrassment around asking for support the main reason for 34 per cent keeping it to themselves - up from 28 per cent a year ago. Those aged 25-34 were most likely to cite this as a barrier (47 per cent). Others avoid seeking support due to a misguided belief that they won't qualify for help, or because they feel the application process is too complicated.

The study showed that twice the amount of homeowners are having problems paying their energy bills compared to renters. Separately, gas and electric costs were named the most challenging bills to pay (26 per cent), followed by council tax (1 per cent) and water (11 per cent).

The research was commissioned by British Gas, as part of its independent charitable trust British Gas Energy Trust which has partnered with the Post Office and 20 local money and energy advice charities to offer 120 free drop-in events at 20 Post Offices across the UK over the next 12 months.

These events give people the chance to get practical, face-to-face support on budget planning, managing energy debt, applying for debt write-off grants, and accessing simple energy-saving measures to help keep homes warmer and bills lower.

Jessica Taplin, chief executive of British Gas Energy Trust, said: "Although we're starting to see more people coming forward to seek support, we recognise that doing so can still feel difficult.

"That's why we've partnered with the Post Office and trusted local money and energy charities to bring support into communities across Britain - including Leicester, Manchester, Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales, London and Liverpool."

The drop-in sessions offer practical advice on budgeting, managing bills, and accessing funding.

"No one should feel alone in this," she added, "we want people to know that help is not only available, but designed to work for them, wherever they are in life."

According to the research, those who are willing to seek support, their first ports of call are either friends and family (31 per cent) or energy provider payment plans (23 per cent).

It found 54 per cent believe advice from a trusted local money and energy advice charity would make it much easier for them to get the support they need during difficult times.

Meanwhile almost two thirds believe there should be more Government and charity programmes to help people manage rising energy costs.

Christina King, customer vulnerability manager at British Gas, which is hosting its first drop-in event is at the Woodgate Post Office in Leicester in collaboration with the Zinthiya Trust on 16th and 17th of September, said: "It's encouraging to see more people speaking to their energy provider when they're finding things tough.

"That first conversation can make a real difference and there are many ways we can help. We've invested more than £140m to enable us to provide matched debt repayments and non-repayable credit for those in serious difficulty.

"Our advisors will be available at local pop-up events to offer practical, face-to-face guidance to help during the upcoming winter and beyond."