Southern Water will act to reduce sewage emissions and make the best use of water on the Isle of Wight after a meeting yesterday (Friday), according to leading politicians.

Councillors and MP Bob Seely met the utility firm's chief executive and its managers, to demand more be done to improve water standards and sustainability.

Cabinet members Jonathan Bacon, Debbie Andre and Chris Jarman and councillor for Cowes North Richard Quigley were on hand for the meeting, alongside Mr Seely, who said making the Island a model of sustainable usage was now among the firm's future aims.

Southern Water was recently fined £90million for illegally discharging sewage into rivers and coastal waters throughout the south-east.

It was also rated among the lowest performers in the country.

Bob Seely said: "Southern Water needs to step up to improve their own standards and to plan for the future.

"Water quality is a complex issue. Road and agricultural run-off account for some of the nasty stuff that gets into the sea around the Island, so it is not just about the water firms.

"I am grateful to Southern Water for talking with councillors and myself."

He also thanked Islanders who had contacted him, raising issues in the West Wight, Gurnard, East Cowes, Seaview and in the Bay area.

Councillor Quigley called the meeting 'encouraging' and said Mr Seely had committed to raising issues with planning at Westminster, including that of making soakaways, ponds and other measures a requirement of development sites.

Meanwhile, the Government is considering options to reduce raw sewage discharge and to increase investment into the water supply system.

Southern Water was recently bought out by an investment firm, which pledged to invest in the infrastructure and claims that 'substantial' progress will be made over the next few years.

Mr Seely has offered to pass details of concerned individual parish and town councils on the Isle of Wight to Southern Water.