GLOBAL warming could transform the Isle of Wight into "the Costa Del Solent."

Hotter, drier summers and wetter winters over the next 80 years could radically improve the Island's tourism industry.

Holidaymakers could flee the Mediterranean during the next century as global temperatures rise, with the Island in the front-line for a huge boost to the number of visitors.

Exotic plant and animal species, once only found in hotter climates, could also thrive on the Island as the earth heats up.

But the downside to climate change could see increased flooding, further coastal erosion and more extreme weather conditions.

The implications of global climate change were outlined to members of the Island council's executive this week.

Island coastal manager Robin McInnes outlined the anticipated changes during a special presentation to members.

Changes would include:

A temperature increase on the Island of 1C to 1.5C, rising to between 2.5C and 4.5C by 2080.

Increased winter rainfall. By 2080 the increases could range from 20 to 30 per cent. Rainfall is also predicted to plummet in the summer by 20 per cent in the 2020s and by up to 50 per cent in the 2080s

Summers will become drier. Spring and autumn may become slightly drier. Each degree of annual warming causes a lengthening of the thermal growing season of about three weeks in southern areas

Sea level rise of as much as 79cm is expected by 2080. (This takes account also of settlement of the land in south-east England).

Wind variation - the most significant variation is predicted in winter, when most severe winds occur.

Average soil moisture in summer will decrease with the largest reductions of up to 40 per cent on the clay soils in southern England, including the Island.

Members were told that the Island's coastal protection schemes were designed to cope with sea level rises of about 6mm per year.

Other plans to cope with the changes include building sustainable drainage systems and a range of other measures which would include the sale of energy-efficient light bulbs which would help to cut the amount of carbon released into the Island's atmosphere by 79 tonnes a year.

Councillor Brenda Lawson, executive member with responsibility for the environment, said: "This is going to happen. It is possibly happening already. How long is it since we had a proper spring?"

Councillor Roger Mazillius said the report reminded him of how "puny" man was in comparison to nature.

He said: "The Island is almost the worst place in the UK. We are a little island surrounded by sea. We are a disaster waiting to happen."

He added that nobody knew what the extent of climate change would be. "From an Island perspective, our number one priority is to identify areas that are at risk and can be defended. For the rest of it - tough."