A potential sewage spill into Lymington River was prevented thanks to artificial intelligence and sewer level monitors.

A Southern Water spokesperson said sensors in its sewage network alerted control room staff that a blockage was forming, prompting a team to jet clean the system.

The spokesperson said the blockage was caused by wet wipes and other unflushable items, and added: “Blocked sewers are the single biggest cause of pollution incidents – from manholes spilling into streams to gardens filling with sewage.

“Thanks to an extensive network of sewer lever monitors, Southern Water teams can constantly check on flows and spot anything out of the ordinary which might suggest a blockage.”