THIS alarming map paints a disturbing picture of the future for Burnham and Highbridge - showing how BOTH towns could find themselves underwater unless urgent steps are taken to combat global warming.

The widespread blue areas show land vulnerable to flooding from rivers, but the pink area blanketing Burnham, Highbridge, Berrow and Brean, depicts places at risk of "coastal inundation".

Somerset County Council released the image yesterday (Tuesday), to coincide with the launch of a new environmental strategy which aims to "play a key role in turning back the tide".

According to climate and flooding experts, at the current rate of global warming and sea-level rises, we will see: * A massive rise in the likelihood of a "severe tidal flooding event, large enough to overwhelm current defences and threaten the M5 and railway links through Somerset… with major consequences for the county and the entire South West" by 2060.

* Some 32,500 homes at risk from rising water levels, with 6,200 square kilometres of Somerset land at risk of flooding.

* A net sea level rise of 8cm and July temperature hikes of four degrees C by 2080, leading to "damaging" temperature extremes and prolonged drought.

A bleak picture indeed for Burnham and Highbridge - and one which must be addressed immediately to prevent the prediction becoming a reality.

County council leader Cathy Bakewell yesterday signed a public pledge to tackle global warming - admitting it will "seriously affect Somerset" - and outlined a series of projects she believes will help.

They include a big push on improving public transport, an aim to generate up to 15% of the county's electricity from wind turbines by 2010, the creation of a £3.8million climate change centre at Bridgwater, promotion of biofuel cars, cycling promotion through a Somerset leg of the Tour of Britain race, and the roll-out of other energy-saving schemes.

All this will be backed by awareness campaigns and schools workshops to enlist public support - something which the authority's portfolio holder for economic development, Paul Buchanan, says will be vital.

He said: "(The) council understands its responsibility to protect its residents and prepare for the future. Our track record and forthcoming projects show that climate change is a top priority.

"We are well placed to take the co-ordinating role, working with partners and local community groups to adapt to unavoidable changes and reduce emissions to stop the worst case scenarios becoming reality.

"It is our duty to tackle this challenge head on."