RESIDENTS who suffer sewage backing up into their toilets during torrential rainfall are furious after the water company revealed it plans to increase its prices to pay for long awaited repairs.

Pensioners Alf Bushell and Vivienne Sibley are among hordes of Eastleigh residents who cannot use their toilet during periods of heavy rain for fear sewage will flood into their homes.

Southern Water has announced it will spend £784m on improvements to their operation - but they want to raise charges by a third in stages over the next five years to finance them.

Mr Bushell, 83, said when the problems occur he is forced to take a 15-minute walk to Eastleigh Bus Station to use their facilities.

He said: "For years they've said there's nothing wrong. Now it's come to the crunch and they've got to do something they should pay for it. It's their responsibility.

"They shouldn't penalise us because they're not capable of keeping up with the times."

Mrs Sibley, 65, who has been unable to use her bathroom for up to four days at a time in the past, welcomed the improvements but didn't think she should have to pay for them.

She said: "I don't like the idea of the cost coming out of our pockets. I'm on a pension."

Politician David Chidgey has slammed the company for trying to charge more money to fund repairs he says should be funded by them.

The Eastleigh MP said: "For decades, the water industry and successive governments have failed to make the investment essential to maintain our sewers and to keep pace with development.

"It is outrageous that they should now come, cap in hand, to the long-suffering customer expecting to be bailed out through massive rises in their charges."

Southern Water managing director Stuart Derwent said: "Since 1990 we have invested approaching £3,000m to dramatically improve service levels and environmental quality.

"If this work is to continue water charges have to rise to meet the enormous cost."

The company, which last year made £63.6m profit, has asked water industry regulator OFWAT for permission to raise prices by an average of £17.60 annually over a five-year period.

This is to provide new and improved water supply works and water mains, as well as wastewater treatment works, pumping stations and sewers.