A wildlife charity has revealed that one in eight parish and town councils are dealing with sewage flooding in their areas.

CPRE Sussex conducted a survey into sewage flooding across the county which received 58 council responses.

Almost 80 per cent said they experience sewage flooding in their area which affects homes, roads, footpaths, green spaces and environmental waters.

The survey also found that almost 90 per cent of councils fear sewers in their area will not cope with additional sewage, while 40 per cent experience flooding on a weekly to monthly basis.

Charity director Paul Steedman said: “These are truly disgusting figures that show just how widespread sewage flooding is, going well beyond the story of licensed storm surge overflows.

“We’ve heard about sewage bubbling up in people’s homes and gardens – as if the pollution of our rivers and seas wasn’t already bad enough.

“Our pipes increasingly cannot cope with what we’re already putting down them.

READ MORE: Saltdean: Southern Water quashes sewage concerns after sea turns brown

“The costs in filthy rivers, seas, homes and streets are all too clear. Simply building more and more homes and connecting them to the existing sewers is a recipe for disaster.

“We need a comprehensive upgrade to our sewer and water treatment systems before we put even more poo down them.

“Councils should make this a condition of new planning permissions, with backing from the government.”

It comes as Southern Water could be slapped with a £54 million penalty after its plans for future improvements were branded “inadequate” by a water regulator.

Ofwat said the water company’s business plan for 2025 to 2030 did not meet “minimum expectations” and it will impose the hefty fine if proposals are not improved by the end of the year.

Southern Water chief executive Lawrence Gosden pocketed more than £700,000 in the last financial year.

The water firm’s annual report and financial statements show he was paid a base salary of £480,000 and received a bonus of £183,000.

He also received £28,600 in benefits and £72,000 in pension contributions, bringing his total remuneration to £764,000.

The report also showed that from April 1, Mr Gosden’s salary increased to £500,000, a rise of 4.3 per cent.