Killer mosquito in the suburbs

A London suburb can today be revealed as the nation's mosquito capital.

Mogden, near Teddington, has been found to have the greatest density of the biting insects in the whole of Britain.

Locals, who blame the local sewage treatment works for the problem, say they are unable to leave their windows open for fear of being covered in bites.

They are also worried that tropical diseases carried by mosquitoes in hotter climes, including the potentially-fatal West Nile virus, could establish themselves in Britain via the infestation.

Mosquitoes have become more common in the UK in recent years.

Warmer weather has attracted them from the Continent, and others are brought home in the clothes and luggage of holidaymakers.

But in Mogden the insects have settled and bred in huge numbers in and around the Mogden Sewage Works.

Simon Fullalove, chairman of the Mogden Residents Action Group, said conditions are now critical in the area and called on Thames Water to act. He said: "It is an absolute nightmare-they are everywhere - they get into every home.

"We are extremely concerned about disease spreading. We forced Thames Water to release the results of their mosquito survey, and it turned out this was the biggest hotspot in Britain.

"The local council are doing a lot of work to control this, but it is really too little, too late."

Thames Water admit there is a problem with the insects, but claims many of the breeding grounds are out of their control.

Spokesman Chris Shipway said: "We are spending ?50 million to cover the plant, which will stop a lot of the problems, and reduce the odour. But the mosquitoes breed all around the area, not just in the sewage plant - they only need a cupful of stagnant water to breed."

The West Nile virus was originally confined to West African states and parts of South-East Asia where high temperatures and high levels of rainfall meant that the mosquitoes could thrive.

Britain's growing mosquito population has led to a corresponding rise in tropical diseases. The number of deaths from malaria has doubled, recent figures revealed.

Health chiefs have admitted they are already drawing up plans to protect Britain from an outbreak of West Nile virus, which causes severe fever and swelling of the brain, and can lead to death.

"The Department of Health is collaborating with other Government Departments and Agencies to develop a contingency plan against the possibility of West Nile virus emerging and becoming established in the UK," said a department spokesman.