CLIMATE change threatens the economic and environmental "well-being" of Hampshire, MPs have been warned.

A senior official at Hampshire County Council told a Commons committee that the coastal location of the county left it facing a bigger threat than other parts of the UK.

Christine Seaward, the council's environment futures manager, said while Hampshire benefited from being part of one of the most dynamic and productive regions in Europe it was also likely to be "most affected" by climate change.

In a written submission to the environmental audit committee, which is carrying out an inquiry into climate change and local government, she said: "The county council recognises that climate change will impact upon the social, economic and environmental well-being of Hampshire and its community. There is a need to develop integrated responses to reduce the risks and seize the opportunities that climate change will bring.

"As a coastal county we face challenges in the coastal zone with rising sea levels that will affect coastal communities, as well as the leisure, ports and other marine industries."

Because of this, the council recognised it had "a vital role to play in responding to the challenges of climate change," she added.

Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, said there was already evidence climate change was having an impact in parts of the county. Flooding would also present a serious threat unless planning policy changed.

He said: "Some of our plant life is being adversely affected, with the dying out of beech trees simply because of the long period of drought up until last year.

"We also know a number of older urban areas, like Southampton but also Eastleigh and Winchester, have joint sewers and water drains which run precisely the same risk of being overwhelmed by the same downpours as we saw in Hull, Doncaster and Sheffield last summer."

He added: "All local authorities are going to have to look very carefully at how to adjust to climate change. It most crucially involves flood risk and local authorities are on the front line."

Mr Huhne claimed planning authorities were still not taking adequate account of Environment Agency advice not to build on flood plains.

He said: "We are still building buildings which are going to be at risk of flooding.

"In the longer run adapting to climate change will involve really basic things, such as ensuring the surfaces of our roads and glue used in construction can withstand hot days in summer."