Northern Ireland has the highest level of fuel poverty in the UK

National Energy Action found that Craigavon Borough Council had the highest level, with almost 44% of households in the area unable to adequately heat their homes.

The charity also identified Magherafelt and Ballymoney in its survey as having rates of more than 40% fuel poverty.

A household is classed as fuel poor if more than a tenth of a household's income is being used to heat the home.

A Department of Social Development consultation paper released earlier this year found 33% of households in Northern Ireland could not afford to heat their homes properly.

Majella McCloskey, director of National Energy Action in Northern Ireland, called on elected representatives in "fuel poverty cold spots" to pledge to eradicate the problem.

"This data shows that there are appalling pockets of fuel poverty across Northern Ireland," she said.

National Energy Action promotes energy efficiency services to tackle the heating and insulation problems of low-income households.

'Energy wasted'

Meanwhile, a report has claimed private and public sector businesses in Northern Ireland are wasting up to �80m a year in energy spending.

A survey released by the Carbon Trust on Wednesday claimed that small businesses in the province were wasting about �20m each year - almost a third of their energy budget.

The wastage comes from sources such as lighting, heating and air conditioning units.

The Carbon Trust was set up by the government to help business and public sector organisations reduce carbon emissions.