South West Water have hit back at criticism at their pollution record by saying they are doing everything they can.

The company made nine court appearances last year and received ten convictions for polluting - among the highest number for a utility of their size.

But spokesman for the company, Dina Chandler, said: "South West Water is doing everything possible to avoid pollution events at the 2500 locations where there is potential for them to occur.

"We are disappointed to be the subject of any court action," she said.

Environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage have criticised the company for their record, which they describe as "woefully disappointing".

Richard Hardy, SAS campaigns director, said: "Clean seas are a lifeline for the South West's economy and a poor record on water pollution is one we can do without."

South West Water was also named as one of the worst performers in 2002 for pollution incidents, according to an Environmental Agency report.

In 2002 they received 14 convictions and were forced to pay £46,000 in fines.

Over 2003 the utility was fined £41,000 - a figure that again outrages St Agnes-based Surfers Against Sewage.

Mr Hardy said: "SAS have urged for courts to wise up with the level of fines imposed for pollution, yet very little has changed in 2003 as fines remain so low that they are just loose change for multi-million pound businesses like water companies."

Surfers Against Sewage believe the chief culprit for the repeated pollution incidents is the Combined Sewage and Stormwater Overflows.

Mr Hardy said: "In our opinion these have become more active in recent years, and are spilling with greater regularity and with little warning.

"They are designed only to discharge untreated sewage during extreme weather conditions but seem to be spilling more frequently and during calmer conditions," he said.

Spokesman for the Environmental Agency, Bridget Morris, said: "We are disappointed to have to resort to prosecuting South West Water.

"However, we continue to work with them towards improvements and further investments in safe guarding the South West's environment."