MOSQUITOES invading the homes of people living in Twickenham, St Margarets and Isleworth will be the subject of an investigation by experts from Mogden sewage works, it was announced this week.

Twickenham MP Vincent Cable chaired a meeting between residents and managers of Thames Water on Tuesday.

During the evening it was established that the company is to press ahead with a study of local mosquitoes in order to discover how much of the problem originates in the sewage works and how much is due to localised pockets of stagnant water in drains, sewers, and gardens.

Dr Cable said he had received many letters from residents worried about a recent explosion in the number of mosquitoes in the area and his son had reported mosquito attacks for which there was no obvious explanation other than Mogden.

He said: "Residents have been alarmed by this summer's mosquitoes that have appeared in large numbers and bite viciously causing serious distress especially to young children."

Mark Colvin, a mosquito expert, used by Thames Water to monitor and protect the Mogden plant, explained that London had a longstanding mosquito problem, which had grown with the London Underground, and produced large numbers of one of Britain's 32 species that is particularly prone to attack humans.

He acknowledged that Mogden might be one of the sources, though not the only one in the area. He also explained that on a hot and humid night mosquitoes could travel well over a mile.

Dr Cable said: "The debate was somewhat inconclusive but we established that Thames Water has a responsibility in this area and will study the problem seriously. I have had serious complaints from Whitton and Twickenham and residents do want to get to the bottom of the problem."

Dr Cable continued: "I welcome the more open spirit of discussion with Thames Water management

"Residents feel somewhat powerless dealing with a big multinational company especially after court action failed earlier this year. The management have to understand the frustration and anger of many residents and I am glad they are now making a serious effort to communicate."

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We use a company to check the site on a weekly basis for any evidence of mosquitoes breeding and they've said that they can find very little evidence.

"But what we have done because of residents' concerns is to make an offer to Hounslow Council to work with them to undertake a further reaching investigation to go beyond the boundaries of Mogden.

"We have also offered to pay for this.

"We found the meeting was constructive and we re grateful to Vincent Cable's involvement as an independent chairman."