Most of Norfolk Broads may vanish by 2100

The severe warning will be made during a three-day conference beginning tomorrow in Copenhagen on climate change.

Scientists will describe their latest results on global warming and higher sea levels.

They will report that sea levels are a greater danger than formerly believed and will give warnings about new flooding which may drown the Norfolk Broads.

A report two years ago said that increases in sea levels of 20 to 60 centimetres would take place by 2100.

Dr Bruce Tofield, from the University of East Anglia, said many are concerned the levels will be higher than expected.

It will certainly greatly affect the Norfolk Broads but it will also affect millions of people in cities such as Calcutta and Shanghai.

The US Geological Survey forecasts that increases in sea levels maybe higher than 1 metre or even 1.5m by 2100.

Antarctic and Greenland sea ice is melting more quickly than expected.

Global warming may result in massive storms over British shores, and cities such as Hull, London and Portsmouth may all require better defences to prevent damaging flooding.

Dr David Vaughan from the British Antarctic Survey said we can now forecast that there will be colossal flooding catastrophes all over the world.

Since people are migrating towards the shoreline increases in sea levels will have an impact on far more people.

Dr Colin Brown, of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said there would be momentous escalations in storms as temperatures increase.

Gales and hurricanes will become fiercer and will create immense tidal surges.

Last month the Institution forecast that the country will face significant interruption in power and transport networks since numerous railway lines run in valleys, which are subject to flooding.

It said that many parts of the UK may have to be forsaken, being too costly to protect.