Flooding policy experts met south-east Euro-MP Catherine Bearder to discuss the certainty of the River Thames Scheme (RTS) going ahead.

The experts from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) told Mrs Bearder the seven local authorities covering the flood plain between Datchet and Teddington had all signed up and are working to find the £51.4m shortfall.

The scheme is to protect 15,000 from the risk of further flooding. Home Secretary Theresa May visited Molesey Lock in December, one of the areas to benefit from the scheme, following the announcement of the final funding figures.

Mrs Bearder said: "I am pleased Defra has reassured me the seven local authorities have signed up to the RTS and that it is still very much on the table.

"The area between Datchet and Teddington is one of the most densely populated area affected by flooding in the UK and for that reason it is absolutely vital the scheme goes ahead.

"We all need to be holding local authorities and future governments to their word now to ensure they follow through with their promises and work together to provide funding.

I do not want the current momentum to slide and I will be looking into possible EU funding streams and liaising with Defra and the Environment Agency to ensure the project continues."

The construction is not due to start until 2022.

Christ Bertram, chairman of Thames Awash, said: "We are encouraged by the positive words of intent from both central and local Government that the construction of the RTS is as good as a 'done deal'."

Heathrow could contribute to the scheme, leader of Surrey County Council David Hodge said. The airport said its billion-pound expansion plan included addressing flooding from Thames tributaries.