The Met Office has warned of the coldest winter in a decade

National Energy Action Wales (NEA) said it was "totally unacceptable" that so many people risked health problems by living in cold, damp homes.

Energy experts are meeting in Cardiff on Wednesday to discuss how to tackle the issue.

The Met Office has predicted Britain could be facing one of the coldest winters in a decade.

The one-day conference has been organised by NEA Wales and is sponsored by ScottishPower.

The charity is campaigning for increased investment in energy efficiency to tackle what it calls "fuel poverty" in poor and vulnerable households.

Research carried out in 2003 revealed Wales has one of the highest winter deaths rates in western Europe.

Many homes will be inadequately heated, the charity claims

NEA Wales director Steve Cranston said: "Nearly a fifth of Welsh homes will be inadequately heated this winter, a situation which is totally unacceptable in the 21st Century.

"Thankfully there is a huge amount of work going on right across Wales to tackle this problem.

"NEA is working with a number of local authorities to develop Affordable Warmth Action Plans for example, but there is still so much more we could do."

He said the conference would allow experts to share ideas and discuss ways of improving the situation.

Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart will join more than 100 delegates at the meeting.

Arctic plunge

A new �1m trust will also be launched at the conference to help children and young people living in inadequately heated households.

The ScottishPower Energy People Trust will accept applications for grants from non-profit making groups that aim to help vulnerable families.

The conference is being held as Wales braces itself for a "cold Arctic plunge", according to BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway.