Water quality campaigners say they are delighted at the record £122.7m fine handed to Thames Water, but warn only a complete overhaul of the industry can clean up the UK's rivers.

Ministers have refused to commit to using the record £123m fine handed to Thames Water to rid Britain’s rivers of sewage, sparking criticism from campaigners. Environmental groups fear the millions will be “lost to the black hole of the Treasury” and urged the Government to use the money on restoring and protecting waterways.

Reuters] Thames Water has been fined £122.7m for breaching rules over sewage spills and shareholder payouts. The penalty is the biggest ever issued by the water industry regulat