FOUR in five residents admit they will be forced to brave plummeting temperatures this winter in a bid to keep their heating costs down.

Results of a new study have revealed that 82 per cent of people living in the south east will ration the use of their central heating, with 38 per cent saying they will hold off until “freezing” temperatures grip their homes.

The UK-wide study was carried out by Radflek, a company that produces energy saving radiator reflectors.