Residents have urged council chiefs to start planning for rising sea levels "sooner rather than later" after research revealed their homes could be lost to the sea in just over five years' time.

Several parts of Totton and Eling could be lost to the waves by 2030 according to an interactive map, created by an organisation of scientists and journalists, collectively known as Climate Central.

In Totton, one area which could be affected would see the Totton Bypass, Rumbridge Street and The Anchor Inn all submerged by the expanding River Test.

Totton resident of 15 years, Marc Talbot said that he wanted the local council to start planning for the impact of climate change "sooner rather than later".

Large parts of Totton and Eling could be lost to the River Test by 2030, research showsLarge parts of Totton and Eling could be lost to the River Test by 2030, research shows (Image: Climate Central)

He added: “I think that we need to start thinking about this now rather than in 2030 when it will be too late.

“Its going to be ten times the amount of work and money if this gets left.

“Totton is not the only place that this could happen – it’s the same around other parts of the city and much of the country.”

READ MORE: Westquay, St Mary's could be underwater by 2030, research shows

According to the data from Climate Central, Westquay shopping centre, Ocean Village and St Mary’s Stadium could all be under water by the end of the decade.

A Totton resident of 13 years, who lives on the waterfront, said: “I've never really thought about it.

“I can imagine it's quite worrying but because we are up, a bit higher, obviously, the water doesn't come up to the door of our home.”

The resident’s house has been built on an elevated foundation and is very close to the waterfront in Totton.

READ MORE: River Itchen barriers could be installed to stop high tides

The resident continued: “The water does sometimes come up the stairs outside our property.

“The water has come over the marina's wall and came onto this road in front of the house - it happened twice and the last time it happened was just last year.”

Other residents in Totton said that despite these figures they were not concerned at all.

Another Totton resident told the Echo: “I've lived here for 40 years, and the tide never reached that high to flood the area - there hasn't been a major flooding in Totton in the past 150 years so I’m not worried at all.”