BUSINESSES are suffering in the aftermath of last week's huge water burst in Hammerton Street, Burnley.

Trade has dipped because buildings beside the collapsed road and pavement are cut off from traffic while a mammoth repair operation is carried out.

The damage was caused by a burst water main which ripped the ground apart and flooded the area in spectacular fashion last Thursday. Part of the street has been sealed off since then.

Jim Bull, boss of the Small Car Centre showroom, says he has had no customers since the torrent.

"It's been dreadful," he told the Citizen. "We can't get cars in and out, which means we can't even deliver cars to customers.

"It's not only sales that are affected. Traders and car valeters can't get in and out either."

Last Thursday afternoon Jim was about to take a car on a demonstration drive when the water erupted. He described the flood as a "tidal wave."

Water ran down Hammerton Street and Queen's Lancashire Way and town-centre supplies were cut off. One woman was taken to hospital after the ground collapsed under her.

"The weekend was just dead," Jim added. "We might as well have been closed."

He said he hoped the work would be finished soon, and expected showroom access to be better by next week.

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