Southern Water has warned that "climate change is getting worse" as the company says the "time to act is now".

Ambitious pledges have been made by the utility firm to reduce the impact of storms in the area by 80% by 2030. The company provides wastewater services in Kent.

Last month, the UK was battered by harmful storms, including Eunice and Franklin, from Feburary 18 to 21.

Thousands of houses were without power for days amid gusts of 77mph winds in parts of the county.

Nick Mills, Southern Water's head of storm overflow task force, said: "We accept customers want to see change and our CEO has said the time to act is now."

Mr Mill's comments were made earlier today during a public meeting in Kent County Council's (KCC) HQ in County Hall, Maidstone.

Storm overflows are used during heavy rainstorms to protect homes from flooding and prevent sewage from overflowing into streets and houses.

Pipeline and sewers carry excess rain, which then flows into water habitats, such as streams and seas.

KCC's panel was told the "intensity" of heavy rainfall and lightning has got worse in Kent, notably in the summer.

This can lead to flooding, drain pipes overflowing and discharges into the sea, which causes high pollution.

In February, gusts of 77mph winds were recorded at Langdon Bay in Dover and Manston as the full force of Storm Eunice struck the UK.

Around 71,000 Kent homes suffered power outages. Vulnerable groups were affected, including Afghan refugees and unaccompanied child asylum-seekers.

Some Kent families faced electrical supplies cut off for several days, including BT landline phones.

Critical infrastructure was also hit, such as water treatment and pumping stations.

The QEII bridge at Dartford was shut to cars. Ferry services at the Port of Dover were also suspended.

Kent County Council (KCC) is working closely with Southern Water to find long-term solutions to managing the impact of storms.

Cllr Tony Hills, who is KCC's flood risk management chairman, said: "We have to get smarter and more immediate in our response to these issues."

Southern Water says it will create a storm overflow taskforce and use more nature-based approaches, such as rain gardens and green roofs.

This comes alongside £1.5billion of investment for "sustainable" solutions, which may also include an overhaul of sewage and drainage systems.

Mr Mills said: "We have to do something about climate change, because the issue will only get worse for us, including flooding and storm overflows."

Calling for joint action with the UK government and local authorities, he added: "This is a challenge of water management."