A CLEAN-up operation was being mounted today after a burst water main caused flooding in Nelson town centre overnight.

Firefighters were called out to Hibson Road and Broadway just after 2am after reports that water was gushing from a leak close to The Station Hotel.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Crews distributed sandbags in an attempt to stem the worst of the flooding, But it is understood that a number of properties in the area, including the town's post office, are assessing the impact of the burst.

Cllr Eileen Ansar, who runs a shop in the town centre, said: "The water had started to lift up some of the paving stones."

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The crews radioed back that the flooding was affecting commercial properties in the area and water was coming along the road.

"Their assessment was that it was a burst water main so they contacted United Utilities and engineers were sent out to the scene to deal with the incident.

"The firefighters placed barriers in the path of the floodwaters in an attempt to safeguard the surrounding properties."