The number of sewage dumps into local rivers fell by over 40 per cent last year, according to Environment Agency data broken down on the 'Top of the Poops' website.

The figures, which include data from Severn Trent and Thames Water, show there were 1,171 dumps in the Kenilworth and Southam constituency last year - down 819 from the 12 months prior.

Total hours of sewage dumps have also increased in the area from 20,558 to 8,245.

However, the data still leaves the constituency as the 77th worst in the country for duration of sewage dumps.

The website shows the vast majority of the sewage dumps in the area have come from Severn Trent Water.

In Kenilworth specifically, the data shows there were spills into Finham, Cattle and Canley Brooks.

The worst hit areas in the constituency were the River Itchen in Fenny Compton (1,578 hours), Princethorpe Brook in Stretton on Dunsmore (1,164) and the River Dene in Northend (915).

Local Labour MP Matt Western has recently launched a petition, demanding the government "takes proper action" to combat sewage dumping and hold water companies to account.

"The state of our waterways is shocking, and it is disgraceful that the Government have allowed water companies to get away with dumping sewage into them for so long," the MP for Warwick and Leamington said.

"I know how valued our waterways are, particularly in the summer months and school holidays when families look to the rivers for a day out and chance to cool off.

"However, they are now faced with the prospect that our much-loved waterways could very easily be full of sewage.

"The Government must do more to tackle this problem they have let get out of control.

"It's unfair on families up and down the country who want to enjoy our beautiful countryside and nature, not be on the receiving end of the Conservative's sewage scandal."